Norton Rose looks set to maintain its global growth drive after adding a second Canadian firm to its international network in a tie-up that has gifted the fast-growing firm its first presence in South America.

The merger with Canada's Macleod Dixon, which is set to go live on 1 January 2012, will hand the firm an additional 250 fee earners, bringing global headcount close to 3,000, including 700 in Canada.

Macleod Dixon has offices in both Calgary and Toronto, where Norton Rose already has a presence, as well as international bases in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Kazakhstan and Russia. The South American offices will be the first in the region for Norton Rose.

The new merger comes despite earlier messages from group chief executive Peter Martyr (pictured) that the year ahead would see the firm focus on consolidation following two years of aggressive expansion.

Martyr said the latest deal was another step towards the firm's ultimate goal of a US merger in the next few years, but added that he would not rule out further international expansion in the interim period.

The tie-up was sealed this Monday (3 October) after six months of top-level discussions, with the combined firm's local arm now operating under the Norton Rose Canada banner, rather than as Norton Rose OR, as it has been since its merger with Montreal's Ogilvy Renault went live on 1 June.

Martyr said: "It would be inconceivable that partners would not find this an easy, obvious and good thing to do. For us it fits perfectly with our sector focus and adds a Latin America practice, while for Macleod Dixon, it suddenly gifts them international reach."

Ex-Ogilvy managing partner John Coleman will continue as managing partner of Norton Rose Canada. Macleod Dixon managing partner Bill Tuer will join the executive committee of Norton Rose Group.