Gilbert + Tobin, an east-coast firm, has traditionally worked for some blue-chip and government clients on some high profile transactions.

But the new alliance will boost the firm’s presence on the west coast, giving it access to client in the energy and resources hub. Gilbert + Tobin managing partner, Danny Gilbert, himself acknowledged the increasing demand for high quality legal services in that sector.

“Our firms will work together to undertake market-leading work in these sectors,” he said.

Established as a sole practice by Michael Blakiston in 1984, Blakiston & Crabb now has seven partners.

Managing Partner of the Perth based firm, Michael Blakiston said he sees the alliance as giving both firms a major advantage over the national firms.

“Both Gilbert + Tobin and Blakiston & Crabb enjoy similar cultures and have a genuine excitement about what the alliance can achieve within the Australian and offshore corporate, energy and resources markets. Our respective firms have been created in this generation and so, are alive to what today's clients require from their legal advisors", he said.

The alliance follows Gilbert + Tobin’s expansion into Melbourne in January this year.

Gilbert + Tobin also shares an alliance with leading Chinese law firm, King & Wood, which was recently named China National Firm of the Year at the Chambers Asia Awards 2010.