K&L Gates expands in Europe with launch of Brussels office, hires McDermott partners

K&L Gates has opened a new office in Brussels, Belgium, in its bid to expand its presence in Europe.

The law firm has hired two partners - Philip Torbol and Patrice Corbiau - from McDermott Will & Emery. They have been put in charge of building the firm's practice in Brussels.

Torbol, who specializes in competition law, has advised clients on on cartel investigations, merger control and anti-trust issues.

Corbiau, who is a corporate law expert, has advised investment funds and companies in the technology, textiles, automobile, and pharmaceutical sectors in matters of M&A, distribution and licensing and dispute resolution.

It is emblematic of the 21st Century that law firms must offer their clients solutions to challenges arising from governmental regulation. Capabilities in Brussels are essential to fulfill this role, as the European Union is at the forefront of leading governmental initiatives designed to regulate the private sector, said K&L Gates Chairman and Global Managing Partner Peter J. Kalis.

The creation of this new office will significantly enhance K&L Gates' EU regulatory coverage as well as provide further European transactional capability, Kalis said.

Both Torbol and Corbiau are excited about their new roles. While Torbol has called it the type of opportunity of which most lawyers can only dream, Corbiau said the the firm's new Belgian corporate practice would help it grow locally and internationally.