Major national law firm Phillips Fox – a leading specialist in insurance matters – has entered an alliance with global law firm DLA Piper. Phillips Fox will become a member of the global DLA Piper Group and will change its name to DLA Phillips Fox.

It is understood to be the first exclusive alliance of an established firm in Australia and New Zealand with a global law firm.

CEO Tony Crawford says the creation of DLA Phillips Fox is recognition of the rapid integration of Australian and New Zealand business into the world economy, and it fits the long-term strategic intent of both firms.

He says Phillips Fox will be ideally positioned to meet its clients’ needs locally, regionally, nationally and globally.

DLA Piper Joint CEO Nigel Knowles says the alliance with Phillips Fox is based on a desire to provide a consistent and co-ordinated range of services that meet clients’ international needs.