International legal practice Norton Rose today announced that it will combine with leading US law firm Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. on June 1, 2013 to form Norton Rose Fulbright.

Rob Otty, Managing Director of Norton Rose South Africa, says:

“I am delighted that we are combining with a practice that shares our ethos, our culture and most importantly, our passion and ambition for Africa and its people.

When we joined Norton Rose we said we still had work to do, and more jurisdictions to enter.  The biggest and most important of these is the United States.”

Norton Rose Fulbright will have 3,800 lawyers and will be a top 10 global legal practice by gross revenue and by number of lawyers. The enlarged practice will have 55 offices internationally, including 11 offices and close to 800 lawyers in the US, in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Pittsburgh-Southpointe, San Antonio, St Louis and Washington D.C.

Norton Rose Fulbright will also have an office in Riyadh and additional strength in London, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Munich.

The practice will have world class expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, corporate, intellectual property and banking and finance.

By industry sector, Norton Rose Fulbright will occupy a market leading position in the areas of energy; pharmaceuticals and life sciences (including healthcare); financial institutions; infrastructure, mining and commodities; technology and transport.

Norton Rose Fulbright will also establish a global regulatory and investigations practice.

Peter Martyr, Chief Executive, Norton Rose, commented:

“The US legal market is the largest in the world and our combination will create a truly global practice with significant depth of expertise in the world’s principal business and financial centres.

“We have been looking at the US market for a number of years, seeking a firm that meets our requirements for excellence in law, good business synergies and a compatible culture. Fulbright & Jaworski meets all our criteria; it is financially strong, with forward-looking management and similar strategic growth aspirations.”

“As Norton Rose Fulbright, we will continue to invest in our strongest practice areas and develop our expertise across our key industry sectors. We also expect to continue extending our global business not only in the US, but in the emerging growth markets of the future, in particular in Latin America, Africa and Asia.”

Steven B. Pfeiffer, Chair of Fulbright & Jaworski’s Executive Committee, commented:

“Fulbright’s combination with Norton Rose will expand our global platform and enable us to provide an even broader range of services to our clients. We will be an international leader in providing seamless and superior client service.”

Kenneth L. Stewart, Chair Elect of Fulbright & Jaworski’s Executive Committee, commented:

“This is a smart combination of two groups whose geographic presence, capabilities and client service cultures are strongly complementary. The combined organisation can provide the experience, insight and service our clients need everywhere they do business around the world.”

Peter Martyr will be the Global Chief Executive of Norton Rose Fulbright. The Chair-Elect of Fulbright, Ken Stewart, will serve as Managing Partner of the US operations and will take a senior position on Norton Rose Fulbright’s Global Executive Committee. Other Fulbright partners will also sit on the Global Executive Committee. Norman Steinberg is the Global Chairman of Norton Rose.