The Seoul office -- which will be led by Daniel Lee as country managing partner – presented the firm with another opportunity to broadcast the leadership’s stated goal of ‘the world's leading business law firm’.

Conduit

Sir Nigel Knowles, DLA Piper’s joint chief executive, commented: ‘DLA Piper wants to act as a conduit for both our multinational clients who want to do business in Korea and our Korean clients wanting to do business with the rest of the world. Collectively we will aim to maximise the opportunities for businesses in this diverse, dynamic and growing economic environment.’
Mr Lee added: ‘DLA Piper has a proud history of supporting Korean clients and the opening of our Seoul office strengthens this service offering. Being on the ground with our clients in Korea will strengthen business relationships and means we can be increasingly responsive locally while continuing to draw on the strength of our global expertise.’
The firm now boasts 4,200 lawyers in more than 30 countries, including more than 700 lawyers located in 12 offices across the Asia Pacific region.

South Africa glory

Elsewhere, DLA affiliate Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has topped an annual survey of South African law firms.
The survey, carried out by PMR.africa, said the practice was rated top across all 29 points used to calculate client satisfaction.
DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's chief executive, Brent Williams, told the BizCommunity website: ‘Our firm has worked hard to stay relevant and innovative in a services environment that has seen increased consolidation, specialisation and globalisation.
‘We are currently focussed on developing best practice in key practice areas and consolidating our association with DLA Piper Africa group firms on the rest of the continent, thereby providing seamless capability and competence across Africa.’