Clyde & Co has become the latest firm to enter the Mongolian legal market via an association with local law firm Khan Lex Advocates.

Clydes has tied up with Ulan Bator-based firm Khan Lex, which launched last year and has two partners and one associate.

The firm has links to the private sector and the Mongolian Government legal service, having advised on the drafting of key legislation including the Foreign Investment Code, the State Property Law and tax laws.

Clydes plans to use the association to target work in the mining, trade, financial services and infrastructure sectors. The UK firm already has a Mongolian-qualified lawyer, Khandsuren Khuu, who is based in London, and acts for both Mongolia-based clients and those looking to do business in the in the Central Asian country.

Clydes international trade partner and Mongolia leader Stephen Tricks (pictured) commented: "This association provides us with the opportunity to develop our Mongolian practice. We can now link our clients to a law firm that has a unique experience of the legislative codes and considerable insight into the government of the country."

The news comes after Hogan Lovells, DLA Piper and Minter Ellison have all made forays into Mongolia in the last 18 months, with Hogan Lovells and DLA both securing local firm alliances, while Minter Ellison launched its own base.

Expansionist insurance specialist Clydes has identified several other potential destinations for overseas bases, including Beijing, Australia and Mexico. The US is also in focus, with office launches in Houston and Calgary predicted for late 2012 as the firm targets energy work in the regions.