Osborne Clarke (OC) has opened a second representative office in US with the launch of a new base in Manhattan.

The firm has set up shop in New York in a push to reinforce its relationships with companies based in North America looking to expand or invest in Northern Europe.

The office will be staffed by two or more partners from its European offices on a rolling basis. The initial team comprises 12 partners and associate directors including senior partner Tim Birt, London chief Andrew Saul and head of digital business Adrian Bott.

The remaining team members are: head of financial services Tim Simmonds, co-head of financial disputes Adrian Lifely, advertising law specialist Nick Johnson, recruitment partner Kevin Barrow, commercial litigator Tom Ellis, financial services partner Paul Anning, Cologne-based venture capital partner Nicolas Gabrysch, and corporate associate directors Mathias Loertscher and Thomas Colmer.

The model is based on its existing Silicon Valley operation in Palo Alto, which opened in 2001 and has a rotating team of individuals.

Corporate partner Tim Birt, who is leading the office launch, said: "We see the New York office as a platform for growth, providing a vital link with our West Coast and European offices.

"OC has a strong track record in corporate legal advice especially on transatlantic venture capital and M&A transactions. With a team on the ground in New York we will be able to capitalise on our expertise and be on-hand for our clients as and when they need our advice."

The base is the firm's 16th international office and comes after the firm opened its long-mooted Paris outpost in the summer.