Mayer Brown and Johnson Stokes & Master join forces

Law firms Mayer Brown and Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) have agreed to combine operations as of January 28, 2008.

The newly created law firm will have access to clients through seven offices in Asia, six in Europe and eight across the Americas including a newly opened office in Brazil. The combined firm will also have over 1,000 lawyers in the US, 500 in Europe and 300 in Asia.

"This is a truly transformational event that makes Mayer Brown unique among global law firms,” remarks Mayer Brown chairman James Holzhauer.

“Our combination is an ideal strategic fit and offers enhanced global service to our multinational clients. JSM is the unquestioned leader among law firms in Asia, and the combination extends our capabilities geographically and broadens our exposure to the fastest growing economies in the world,” he adds.

The combined firm will continue to be known as Mayer Brown outside of Asia. Within Asia, it will be known as Mayer Brown JSM. JSM is widely recognised as the one of the largest and oldest law firms in Asia.