Three of Olswang's last remaining Paris lawyers have left to launch a base in the French capital for US firm Ogletree Deakins, following the closure of the UK firm's local office.

Olswang Paris employment partner Karine Audouze, who will head up the new base as managing partner, has joined Ogletree alongside two Olswang associates and a number of support staff.

Olswang's Paris operation closed on Tuesday (28 February) ahead of the firm's merger with CMS and Nabarro this May. The firm's local lawyers had relocated to temporary premises in November, and at latest count, there were just seven remaining Olswang lawyers in the French capital.

Ogletree, which specialises in employment law, has also recruited Hogan Lovells partner Jean-Marc Albiol for the Paris launch, along with two Hogan Lovells associates.

The move into Paris comes after Ogletree made its debut in Europe in 2012 by opening in Berlin, followed by a September 2013 launch in London, where it now has a two-partner office. The firm also has 49 domestic bases across the US.

Ogletree managing shareholder Matt Keen said: "An office in Paris is essential to providing the comprehensive European advice that our clients have come to expect, and we are very excited to have Karine, Jean-Marc and the Paris team join our firm to meet the needs of our clients in France."

Olswang confirmed last week that it was closing in Paris, Madrid and Brussels ahead of the three-way tie-up with CMS and Nabarro. Three Olswang Madrid lawyers have moved over to CMS in the Spanish capital, while all six lawyers in Olswang's Brussels office – which will close at the end of April – are joining CMS's local arm.