Global law firm K&L Gates and Singapore law firm Straits Law Practice join forces on 1 January to create the Singapore entity of K&L Gates Straits Law LLC – following earlier approval from partners of both firms and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority. The 34 lawyer Singaporean law firm, headed by managing director N Sreenivasan SC, Straits Law, was formed in 2001 following the merger between Derrick Ravi Partnership and Raja Loo & Chandra. It merged with law firms Choo & Lim in 2006 and insurance boutique M Rama Law Corporation in 2016. The merger gives K&L Gates local capability, particularly in litigation, and is the latest between local and international law firms in the region. Philadelphia’s Morgan Lewis & Bockius combined with Stamford Law Corporation to form Morgan Lewis Stamford whilst Dentons merged with Singapore’s oldest firm, Rodyk & Davidson, to form Dentons Rodyk.