L&E Global, launched in January 2011 as an alliance of boutique employment firms throughout Europe and the USA, has joined forces with New Zealand firm Swarbrick Beck Mackinnon.

The firm will join Flichy Grangé Avocats (France), Jackson Lewis LLP (United States), LABLAW - Studio Legale Failla Rotondi & Partners (Italy), Palthe Oberman (the Netherlands), Pusch Wahlig Legal (Germany), Bufete Suárez de Vivero, S.L (Spain) and Van Olmen Wynant (Brussels).

"Joining forces with SBM greatly strengthens our global footprint," said Stephan Swinkels, the executive director of L&E Global. "This move indicates our first footsteps into Asia-Pacific countries."

When asked why L&E Global had chosen to enter New Zealand and not Australia, a spokesperson for the alliance said it is not intent on "world domination", but will instead go where its clients wish it to go. The alliance has confirmed, however, that it is already in discussions with several firms in Australia and Asia.

"We will be announcing new international team members in the coming weeks and months ... and expect to double in size by the year's end," said the spokesperson.