Legal Week website has reported that Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis (K&L Gates) has increased its presence in Taiwan by merging with local firm J&J Attorneys-at-Law.

The lawyers will become part of K&L Gates' Taipei office, creating a team with more than 25 legal professionals.

The office is K&L Gates' second move to expand in Asian recently.  Last month the firm launched in Shanghai . K&L Gates also has offices in Hong Kong and Beijing.

Commenting on the news, J&J managing partner Jacqueline Fu said: "The joining of our firms broadens J&J's services to clients through the expanded resources of K&L Gates, particularly through its offices in China and Hong Kong."

David Tang, K&L Gates' managing partner in Asia, added: "K&L Gates is very pleased to welcome J&J and its lawyers as part of our Taipei operations. With their addition, we will be able to capitalize on the corporate strengths of both groups in working with a number of the world's leading corporations, including our shared client Microsoft, and also offer clients formidable international intellectual property experience.