Slaughter and May's Paris office to combine with Bredin Prat

Slaughter and May today announces that it has reached agreement for its Paris office to join Bredin Prat, the leading independent French law firm. The combination will enhance the position of Bredin Prat as one of the top ranking business law firms in France, bringing together its outstanding practice with Slaughter and May’s extensive private M&A and financing capabilities in Paris.

This move reflects the continued success of Slaughter and May and Bredin Prat’s Best Friends approach to international strategy. The combination will enhance Bredin Prat’s position as an integral member of Slaughter and May’s Best Friends network, providing the same range and level of service to Slaughter and May’s clients and building on the relationships of the Paris office.

The new arrangements will strengthen Bredin Prat’s international capability and its ability to offer legal services, in integrated teams with other Best Friend firms, in all major international business markets.

Slaughter and May will maintain a representative office in Paris to work with Bredin Prat on the English law aspects of work in France.

Tim Clark, Senior Partner of Slaughter and May, commented: "The combination of our Paris office with Bredin Prat will be stronger than the sum of its parts and will allow us to give our clients continuing access to the very highest quality of advice in France on an integrated basis.

"We have been delighted with the development of our Best Friends relationship with Bredin Prat over recent years. We know Bredin Prat well and there is considerable potential for us to develop a wider range of opportunities to work together in the future. This is a logical step in consolidating our Best Friends approach in this important market."

Jean-François Prat, Senior Partner of Bredin Prat, commented: "We are delighted with what we have achieved. We believe that it will strengthen our firm and, in particular, our close relationships with Slaughter and May and other Best Friends. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues."

The detailed arrangements for the combination and the timing of its implementation will be finalised shortly. It is intended that the combination should be completed by the end of April 2006.