Shoosmiths makes international move with first EU office

UK law firm Shoosmiths has launched its first international office “to meet growing client demand” for EU competition, regulatory and trade law advice.  

The new office in Brussels is the firm’s first move outside of the UK, with dual-qualified lawyer Kiran Desai recruited as head of its Brussels operations. The move is part of the firm’s objective to improve its ability to offer combined UK and EU competition, regulatory and trade law advice which, according to the firm, “has become an increasingly relevant factor” for its “corporate clients in the post Brexit environment”.

The firm also hopes that the move will offer access to “relevant and quality talent”, particularly relating to international trade, competition, EU regulation, and privacy and data.

Kiran, former EU competition law leader at EY law and managing partner of Mayer Brown International LLP’s Brussels office, will work alongside Shoosmiths’ head of competition law Simon Barnes.

The firm’s CEO Simon Boss commented on the move: “The opening of a Brussels office meets our commitment to being able to advise clients, both national and international, on all aspects of law relevant to the UK. The EU is the UK’s largest trading partner and the influence of EU law on international jurisprudence and legal policy is significant.”