Norton Rose has confirmed that it is to add a second Canadian firm to its international network, with Calgary-based Macleod Dixon to merge with the firm on 1 January 2012.

The move, news of which first emerged in the Canadian press yesterday (3 October), will gift the group an additional 250 fee earners, adding to its Swiss Verein-structured international network which already comprises 2,500 fee earners.

Macleod Dixon is an unusual Canadian firm in that a majority of its offices are outside of its home country, including bases in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Kazakhstan and Russia.

The South American offices will be the first in the region for the Norton Rose Group.

In Canada, the firm also has an office in Toronto alongside its Calgary HQ. Norton Rose's Canadian arm already has offices in both of these locations.

The merged firm, which will have around 700 lawyers, will be known as Norton Rose Canada, rather than Norton Rose OR, as it has been since the merger with Montreal-based Ogilvy Renault went live on 1 June.

Norton Rose chief executive Peter Martyr (pictured) said: "This is another very exciting move for the group and constitutes a significant step towards realising our ambition of becoming one of the world's leading providers of legal services. This merger delivers real strength in energy and mining in Canada, as well as in emerging markets such as Latin America and Central Asia."

Macleod Dixon managing partner Bill Tuer said: "We have had offices in emerging markets for 20 years and investment is flowing into and out of Canada more than ever before. This merger will allow us to assist our clients in most of the important markets around the globe. "

Norton Rose also merged with South African firm Deneys Reitz in June this year, following its tie-up with Australia's Deacons on 1 January 2010. John Coleman will continue as the managing partner of Norton Rose Canada, while Tuer will join the executive committee of Norton Rose Group.

Norton Rose is also targeting a merger in the US within the next couple of years, with Fulbright & Jaworski among those tipped as potential partners for the UK firm.

For more, see Expansive Norton Rose sets sights on merger deals in US and Brazil.