Eversheds Sutherland has expanded its footprint in three new markets by combining with Portuguese firm FCB and its associated offices in Angola and Mozambique. 

The UK firm will establish a formal Portuguese presence following its long-standing relationship with FCB, adding the regional firm’s Lisbon headquarters and its offices in Porto and Faro to its European network. FCB’s associated firms in Angola and Mozambique — EVC Advogados and AG Advogados — will also join the Eversheds brand, taking the London-based firm’s geographic reach to 74 offices spread across 35 jurisdictions. 

As part of the merger, FCB will rebrand as Eversheds Sutherland FCB, with the two firms set to remain financially independent from one another following the combination. 

FCB boasts more than 70 lawyers, including 19 partners, strengthening Eversheds’ 750-strong global partnership network. As Eversheds Sutherland FCB, the firm will focus its Portuguese activity in the real estate, timber and agribusiness, TMT and energy sectors, according to its website. 

Ian Gray, chair of Eversheds Sutherland in Europe, said: “FCB has been a valuable partner of Eversheds Sutherland’s wider service in Europe for more than 10 years, with long-standing relationships between our legal teams. This combination is a natural evolution for our teams to come together and work more closely. Our firms are culturally aligned, share many clients in common and have a substantial history of referrals to each other. We are thrilled that such a talented legal team has joined us.”

Eversheds’ previous Iberian coverage was limited to its branch in Madrid, which it procured in 2011 following a combination with Spanish law firm Nicea Abogados. The firm said it will work in tandem with FCB’s existing Madrid base to widen its Iberian coverage, as well as deepening its practice for clients in Africa and Latin America. 

Gonçalo da Cunha, partner and co-coordinator of FCB’s corporate, commercial and M&A department, said: “By joining forces, we will deepen our ongoing relationship to the benefit of our international clients. We look forward to building and strengthening relationships with colleagues across the firm’s global office network and supporting clients on their activity across Europe, Africa and Latin America.”

Eversheds’ move follows a number of other UK firms making expanding in Europe. In January, Clyde & Co opened an office in Munich with a three-partner insurance team from Norton Rose Fullbright, adding to its existing German presence in Dusseldorf and Hamburg. 

More recently, RPC launched a six-firm international network, including Kennedy Van Der Laan in the Netherlands and MHN & Partners in France, boosting the London-based firm’s insurance capabilities for its international client base.