U.K. firm TLT has formed a strategic alliance with Netherlands firm Holla, taking the first step in its quest for a wider international presence. 

Holla has three offices across The Netherlands and currently has 20 partners and over 70 lawyers. It mainly advises medium-sized and large businesses, and already frequently works with TLT on a range of matters, including complex disputes, employment, IP and corporate finance and M&A.

The alliance, which is the first-ever for Bristol-headquartered TLT, will create a "seamless client experience", managing partner John Wood told Law.com International.

Wood, who took over as managing partner in April 2020, said that although the coronavirus pandemic has caused much disruption for law firms, the best prepared ones will still be preparing for the future.

"You've got to keep moving with your clients. The next challenge is Brexit, and the pandemic means you can either hunker down or keep moving and being ambitious," he explained.

He added that the growth plan for the firm includes three jurisdictions, led by client demand:  Western Europe, the U.S. and India.

TLT's head of international, Chris Owen, said in a statement: "With the Netherlands a key business location and gateway to the European Union post Brexit, we see cross-border work increasing."

Although post-Brexit work was a driver, Woods said the alliance would have transpired regardless, as having a "strong international capability – with or without Brexit – is important".

Many firms have made moves in the region, including litigation firm Hausfeld launching in Amsterdam in February and Greenberg Traurig and Scott+Scott in 2019. Yet, Wood is "surprised" that other firms may not have thought about The Netherlands as much as Ireland, for example, where several firms have opened in recent years.

"There is a flurry of movement into Ireland, but The Netherlands is the same geographical proximity and a gateway into other countries. It made perfect sense for us".

Other firms have also cited Brexit as a driver behind expansion recently. Belgian firm Van Bael & Bellis launched a three-partner office in London in favour of post-Brexit legal opportunities in the market on Monday.

|

Read More:

Leading Belgian Firm to Launch in UK, Cites Post-Brexit Opportunities