TLT to enter strategic alliance with Netherlands firm Holla

30 June 2020: UK law firm TLT has agreed a strategic alliance with Netherlands firm Holla as part of a strategy to strengthen its international offer for clients.

TLT and Holla have a long history working together to support clients on a range of matters including complex disputes, employment, IP and corporate finance/M&A. The alliance agreement will see a move to closer collaboration between the two firms, sharing know how and collaborating on marketing and service delivery to ensure consistent high quality and seamless cross border services for clients.

Building an alliance of firms in key European countries, the US and India is a key part of the firm’s ambitious growth plans. The alliance with Holla is the first for the firm since it set about developing its international offer with the appointment of Chris Owen as its first international head. To date, the firm has supported clients internationally through various networks and wider informal international connections.

TLT head of international Chris Owen said:

“Like TLT, Holla is an ambitious and growing firm in The Netherlands. We have great cross over in terms of approach, legal expertise and industry insight and a strong history working together to support our clients.

“With the Netherlands a key business location and gateway to the European Union post Brexit, we see crossborder work increasing. There are clear opportunities for our clients with a growing financial services sector, increasing investment in renewable energy generation as well as real estate, retail and logistics opportunities in mainland Europe amongst others.”

Graeme Orchison, location head for TLT in Manchester, said:

“Although we are focussed on the immediate challenges of the economic impact of the Covid pandemic, we are not standing still. We are ambitious for the future and how we continue to develop and deliver opportunities for our people and our clients; pushing forward with our international strategy is a critical part of that.”

“Our alliance with Holla is the first step in our strategy to develop further our offer for clients as they look for more support from us internationally. That offer will be a closer alliance of like-minded firms across Europe, India and the US with a similar cultural fit and client-driven ambition to develop their crossborder offer.”

Robert Gebel, Managing Partner, Holla said:

“The number of legal matters we work on that have an international aspect has grown significantly. Our alliance with TLT allows us to offer clients with cross-border legal issues a high quality and seamless service.

“TLT shares Holla’s DNA. For both firms, the client centric approach and the sector focussed success of our businesses are important driving forces. Our partnership is not solely aimed at improving both organisations’ international services, but also at sharing knowledge, expertise and innovation. We look forward to further exploring these developments together.”

TLT has been one of the fastest growing firms in the UK over the last five years expanding from its Bristol and London roots to open in Manchester as well as Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Alongside the development of an international strategic alliance, the firm continues its largely organic UK growth strategy, increasing headcount by 14% in the last year with 15 new lateral partner hires.

Holla is a growing Dutch law firm with of over 100 people with offices in Utrecht, s-Hertogenbosch and Eindhoven. Holla Advocaten offers legal advice to medium-sized and large businesses. Their core tenets are their personal approach to clients and their strong focus on clients’ business success.