Partners back expansive strategy for US, Europe and Middle East

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert is to substantially build up its international practice in the wake of a wide-ranging strategy review, with markets including the US, continental Europe and the Middle East all under discussion.

The top 40 UK law firm, which currently has offices in Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore, is still exploring its options but expects to gain a presence in at least one new market during 2011.

Options on the table include some form of tie-up with firms in the US and continental Europe, with Barlows open to the case for a merger, an alliance, or the launch of an independent office with partners relocating from London. It is thought the firm is more likely to launch a greenfield operation in the Middle East.

Management presented the international strategy to partners at a meeting last November, issuing a questionnaire to gauge support. Results were presented to partners last month, more than 90% of whom backed the strategy.

Barlows chief executive David Jabbari (pictured) said: "International expansion is at the forefront of our strategy for 2011. At the close of last year, [senior partner] Simon Konsta and I presented our strategy to the partners and have been given a mandate to explore international opportunities aggressively.

"We are currently looking at opportunities in a number of regions, and would like to see the firm enter at least one of these regions this year. We have now very clearly outlined that insurance and dispute resolution is our core focus, and if we did enter into any kind of relationship with another firm, it is likely to be driven by international consolidation of those strengths."

The firm's plan to rapidly globalise its practice is the latest in a series of substantive changes to the insurance leader's business and strategy after a period in which it is regarded as having lagged some of its peer group. The firm overhauled its practice structure in November as part of a review looking at three areas: core markets, plans for future growth and increasing profitability.

Last year, Barlows' profits per equity partner stood at £300,000 against turnover of £81.5m.