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.

“This merger gives us a leading presence in Hong Kong, an entr?(C)e into mainland China and the ability to provide the high quality services our clients need,” Jordan said in a statement.

Jordan will remain firmwide managing partner following the merger, and Roger J. Parker will continue to serve as managing partner for Europe and the Middle East. Hong Kong partners Graham Winter and Will Barber will join Reed Smith's firmwide executive committee. Overseeing the integration is Tom Todd, a Reed Smith senior U.S. partner.

Richards Butler Hong Kong is one of the five largest law firms in Hong Kong, having entered the market more than 25 years ago. Since then it has handled many significant matters, including successfully defending the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the country's highest appeals court. Its corporate team has handled more than 200 IPOs.