International law firm Reed Smith has announced plans to merge with Richards Butler Hong Kong, creating a firm of more than 1,500 lawyers in 23 offices. The merger is the third in the past year for Reed Smith, one of the 15 largest firms worldwide.

The planned Jan. 1 merger will position Reed Smith as one of the top five firms in Greater China, with more than 110 lawyers in Hong Kong, an operation in Beijing and plans to open a practice in Shanghai. When the firms merge, all the Richards Butler Hong Kong partners will join the Reed Smith partnership.

The deal was led by Reed Smith Firmwide Managing Partner Gregory B. Jordan and Director of Strategic Planning Michael B. Pollack, and a team of Richards Butler Hong Kong partners.