Map of Europe Map of Europe

Top U.S.-based firms, striving to become ever-bigger and more profitable, have always sought out global markets where they can attract lucrative work, increase revenue, and grow. While Asia is still an enormous market where firms see potential, it is often unpredictable. Now, it appears that continental Europe is where firms are aggressively expanding and making the most progress.

Nevertheless, they still face some serious competition in the region.

From France to Luxembourg to Germany, U.S.-based law firms made moves last week to expand their reach in Europe. Most notable last week was K&L Gates, which added a nine-lawyer real estate team poached from Eversheds Sutherland in Frankfurt and Munich. Then the firm announced it was adding a noted restructuring and insolvency partner in Paris from the French firm De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés in Paris. And as the pièce de résistance, it announced it had combined with Luxembourg's Volckrick & Associates, marking the latest in a string of expansive moves by the firm in the space of a week.