US firm Bryan Cave has chosen Alpha & Leader, a Guangzhou-based law firm with offices in Beijing and Shanghai, to be its 'preferred' local partner. Alpha & Leader employs more than 100 professionals and focuses on practice areas of risk and asset management and arbitration.

Under the alliance, Bryan Cave and its trade consulting subsidiary, Bryan Cave International Trade LLC (BCIT), will be the preferred referral point for work coming in through Alpha & Leader to the US and other countries where Bryan Cave and BCIT have a presence. Alpha & Leader, in turn, will become Bryan Cave's preferred firm for local legal services.

In addition, designated lawyers from Alpha & Leader and Bryan Cave will be assigned to work periodically in each other's offices under an exchange program.

"A broader footprint in China is increasingly important in today's business environment," said Don Lents, chairman of Bryan Cave. "Alpha & Leader is well positioned to provide a local law complement to our international practice in China and around the world."

For local firms, teaming up with an intentional firm means a move toward globalisation.

"The affiliation with Bryan Cave is a big step forward in Alpha & Leader's globalisation," said Wesley Pan, managing partner of Alpha & Leader. "Our influence will be enhanced, because more international institutions and investors will come to know Alpha & Leader's capability in providing finance and corporate legal services, as well as business solutions in China."

Alpha & Leader senior partner Ricky Li noted that another important objective of this alliance is to enhance the international perspective and experience of its Chinese lawyers when providing legal services.

The two firms will account for profits separately.