Canadian leader Fasken Martineau DuMoulin has agreed to merge with specialist communications firm Johnston & Buchan, it was announced today (13 March).

The deal is effective from 1 April, 2007, and sees all 13 lawyers from the Ottawa practice join Fasken Martineau, which operates five offices across Canada.

The tie-up continues a period of expansion for Fasken Martineau, which practises in the UK as Fasken Martineau Stringer Saul after sealing a landmark merger with City boutique Stringer Saul last December.

That deal marked the first such tie-up between UK and Canadian law firms, handing Fasken Martineau access to the legacy City firm's experience of work relating to the Alternative Investment Market.

Commenting on the latest tie-up, Fasken Martineau managing partner David Corbett said: "Merging with Johnston & Buchan allows Fasken Martineau to bring a highly respected Ottawa practice onboard that offers our clients expertise in communications and trade law and an intimate knowledge of the federal government and the regulatory environment."