Global Expansion for Law Firms: 2025 Reflections & Priorities for Senior Management in 2026

In this discussion focusing on global legal expansion, special guest Robert C. Bata, Founder and Principal of Warwick Place Legal, joins CM Murray LLP Partners Corinne Staves and Zulon Begum to explore what drove global expansion in 2025, the challenges, lessons learned and what law firms should expect in 2026 and beyond. In particular, Corinne, Zulon and Robert discuss: Global Expansion Trends in 2025: - Middle East and Latin America emerged as major growth hotspots. - Disputes work fuelled much of the international expansion. - Firms focused on domestic consolidation before going cross‑border. What Enables a Successful Expansion or Merger? - Clear strategic purpose and partner alignment. - Early preparation on governance, liabilities and due‑diligence issues. - Upfront planning for tax and regulatory hurdles. Cultural and Remuneration Compatibility: - Culture = collaboration and integration, not “nice chemistry.” - Remuneration models must align or be phased carefully. - Headline PEP isn’t the real story; long‑term value is. Beyond Full Merger: Alliances & Other Models: - Alliances can work, but only with strong quality control. - Networks offer reach, not integration. - Verein models remain useful but face growing pressure to evolve as firms seek deeper integration. Outlook for 2026 and Beyond: - Expect continued expansion into the Gulf and Latin America. - More UK-US merger interest on both sides. - Realignment in Asia, with shifts away from China. - Greater pressure for deeper financial integration globally. If you have any questions arising from this recording, or would like to discuss international expansion in more detail, please contact Partners Corinne Staves and Zulon Begum of CM Murray LLP or Robert C. Bata of Warwick Place Legal. Robert C. Bata is the Founder and Principal of WarwickPlace Legal, LLC, a consultancy specialising in cross‑border expansion strategies for leading law firms. With over thirty years’ experience as an international M&A lawyer at various international law firms, he has founded and led offices across London, Europe and China. His deep understanding of global legal markets, coupled with senior leadership roles and extensive industry engagement, gives him unparalleled insight into the commercial, cultural and political dynamics shaping successful international growth. Corinne Staves is ranked as a “Star Individual” by Chambers and Partners UK 2026 for Partnership: Non-contentious: “One of the absolute leaders in the field on both contentious and non-contentious matters, regulatory and litigation.” Zulon Begum is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and Partners UK 2026 for Partnership: Non-contentious: “Zulon is extremely responsive and has a solid handle on the challenges of pressure and in the regulatory environment that we have been dealing with.” ”She is calm and confident and gives the sense and feeling of really knowing the topic and the market, which is very important.” CM Murray LLP is ranked Tier 1 for Partnership by Legal 500 2026: “This practice is unique due to its very specific focus on partnership matters and related transactions.”