LG has secured an association with a local firm in Brazil, marking its latest move to grow its international footprint ahead of its potential merger with Field Fisher Waterhouse.

The firm has entered into a non-exclusive association with Brazilian outfit Motta Fernandes Rocha Advogados (MFRA), with the tie-up giving LG access to a total of 70 local lawyers – including 40 partners – across two offices in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

MFRA, established in 1956, is a corporate boutique specialising in M&A, investment funds, private equity and infrastructure.

LG senior partner Andrew Witts said: "We started discussions with MFRA two years ago because we were doing an increasing amount of work in the market. This is part of our wider strategy to build our international platform and we feel we have identified the markets with the most growth potential to do this.

"Brazil is a difficult legal landscape to navigate but, through this association, it will enable both firms to have access to new business."

LG has carried out an increasing amount of work in Brazil in recent years, including advising the Federal Republic of Brazil and the Municipality of Sao Paulo since 2005 in relation to corruption allegations against the city's former mayor.

The deal comes after LG launched in Singapore earlier this year, and as the potential £150m merger with Field Fisher would hand the firm a presence in markets such as Brussels, Duesseldorf, Hamburg, Manchester, Munich and Paris.