Another US law firm has set up shop in London’s Square Mile, taking offices at 110 Bishopsgate.

Full-service outfit Pierson Ferdinand launches with eight partners and six staff members, focusing among other things on banking, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, employment and disputes.

PierFerd became one of the largest US legal launches ever earlier this year when it opened with over 120 partners: it now has more than 170. The firm is a spin-off from virtual firm FisherBroyles, which suffered a mass exodus after partners disapproved of aspects of FisherBroyles’ leadership.

The former chairs of FisherBroyles’ corporate and litigation practices, Michael Pierson and Joel Ferdinand, left late last year to found Pierson. PierFerd’s London office is headed by Peter Finding, the partner who helped establish FisherBroyles’ own office in the capital in 2020. London is the firm’s first office outside the US.

‘Today marks a milestone in PierFerd’s international growth and we are proud to have our first global office opening in London to serve multinational clients in a key financial hub,’ said Michael Pierson, PierFerd co-chair. ‘Our team in London act as a bridge between the US and Europe to serve clients seamlessly across multiple regions.’

Pierson himself and Ferdinand have assumed the status of registered foreign lawyers.

‘PierFerd enables lawyers to practise at their highest level and reach clients no matter where they are located,’ added London managing partner Finding.

PierFerd’s UK business is affiliated to the US business but incorporated as a separate England-registered limited liability partnership. It is understood that, unlike the firm’s 16 US facilities, which function as service offices, PierFerd’s London lawyers will have the option to come in to the office.  

 

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