DLA Piper LLP (US), an international law firm and Vancouver-based law firm Davis LLP  have reached an agreement to join forces.

Under the agreement, which will be effective April 2015, Davis LLP will operate as an integrated part of DLA Piper's global platform and brand, and will adopt the name DLA Piper (Canada) LLP.

The proposed combination will unite the breadth of practices and industry experience of DLA Piper, a global law firms, with 4,200 lawyers in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, with Davis, a firm with more than 260 lawyers and deep roots in the Canadian and international business communities.

Davis was founded in 1892 in Vancouver, British Columbia, and began to establish a broader national and international presence after the liberalization of the Canadian legal sector in the 1990s. In addition to its seven offices in the country, the firm also has an Asian commitment through its associate office in Tokyo, which will continue to operate as Davis & Takahashi, making it the only Canadian law firm with an established presence in Japan. The firm delivers services in more than 50 practices, with historic areas of focus in energy, natural resources, infrastructure, development, transportation and the related corporate and finance areas.

Roger Meltzer, global co-chair and co-chair (Americas) of DLA Piper, stated:

"As a G20 nation and the principal trading partner of the US, Canada has been, for some time, an integral part of our global strategy. Davis is a firm with a long and successful history and the right combination of talent and experience centered on core areas of DLA Piper's focus. They will be a valuable addition to the firm and an important resource to our clients. Our combined enterprise will not only enhance our service offering in the Americas and around the world, but it will allow Davis's practices and capabilities to expand more deeply as part of the DLA Piper global brand."

Robert Seidel, QC, managing partner of Davis, commented:

"This is a one-of-a kind opportunity to join a leading-edge global firm with high-profile legal professionals committed to helping clients succeed through practical and innovative legal solutions. We recognize that many of our clients' interests are now international as the markets for their products and services become increasingly global. This combination will allow us to provide seamless global services to them while continuing to work with our domestic clients in the manner they have become accustomed."

DLA Piper's expansion into Canada continues the firm's strategy of delivering services to clients around the world and in the Americas, where the firm recently completed a combination with Gallastegui y Lozano, S.C. (GyL), in Mexico. That move enhanced the firm's growing capabilities and strategy in Latin America, including its presence in Venezuela with DLA Interjuris Abogados, and its cooperation agreement with Campos Mello Advogados and foreign consultancy in Brazil.