Eversheds Sutherland has fully merged with its Dutch affiliate firm following a 10-year association.

The Dutch firm was known as Faasen & Partners until 2008, when it joined Eversheds' non-financially integrated European network and adopted the Eversheds brand.

It has now fully merged into Eversheds Sutherland's international LLP, and will be known as Eversheds Sutherland Netherlands.

The firm, which was founded in 2004 from the Dutch arm of KPMG's legal arm KLegal, now consists of eight partners and 32 lawyers across two offices in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Eversheds CEO Lee Ranson said: "Developing in key jurisdictions is a core part of our global strategy and this move allows us to prioritise investment in a market which is of increasing importance for both our International and US clients. We have worked closely with our Dutch partners for more than 10 years and are wholly aligned in terms of our vision for the future of the firm and our culture."

He added: "With the US tie-up the Dutch economy is even more important to us, it is used by a lot of US clients and we were keen, and so were the Dutch, to fast forward our plans there.

"We will be building out and investing in the current offices, corporate and tax are particular areas of interest to us."

The move follows a similar deal with the firm's German affiliate, Heisse Kursawe, which it merged with in June 2015.

Last year, Eversheds sealed a non-financially integrated tie-up with US firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, rebranding as Eversheds Sutherland.

Eversheds Sutherland Netherlands managing partner Paul Goedvolk said: "This move makes perfect sense for us and our clients in the Netherlands, who are becoming increasingly active globally. The tie-up in the US and the progress the firm has made around the world last year makes the timing ideal.  We believe it will not only enhance investment but also open opportunities to our people."

Last year, the firm also merged with Harry Elias Partners in Singapore and launched offices in Duesseldorf, Luxembourg, Moscow and St Petersburg.