DLA Piper has completed a merger with Czech firm Haskovcova & Co, doubling its local partner headcount in Prague as two partners and seven associates join the firm. 

Haskovcova founder, Thu Nga Haskovcova will become DLA Piper's managing partner in Prague.

Haskovcova is a corporate partner specialising in M&A, real estate and project financing. 

She is joined by Petra Sabatka, who will head the office's litigation and regulation group.

Krzysztof Wiater, DLA Piper's Central and Eastern European (CEE) regional managing partner said: "This merger is a strategic move for both firms.

"The overarching goal is to channel the strengths of both previously existing firms into a newly established partnership, offering a full range of first class services to our clients in the Czech Republic and throughout the CEE region."

The tie-up adds a tax advisory service to DLA's previous offering in the country, having previously focused on corporate work.

The move bucks the trend of a number of international firms which have pulled out of the country in recent months. 

Hogan Lovells closed the doors on its office in the Czech capital in May when its local partners formed their own boutique firm, while Norton Rose Fulbright closed its two-partner office the previous month, citing difficult market conditions.