SINGAPORE - Law firm Rajah & Tann took a major step yesterday in its ambition to form the largest legal alliance in South-east Asia.

The firm announced the launch of Rajah & Tann Asia, which brings eight firms together with a force of more than 500 lawyers from nine countries, including Malaysia and Myanmar.

Senior Counsel Lee Eng Beng, managing partner of Rajah & Tann, said on Thursday: "This launch marks a major milestone. Rajah & Tann Asia is born and bred in Asia and looks forward to serving clients in this region."

He said they will get a full slew of quality legal services and the biggest legal network in Southeast Asia, as well as a "home team" of lawyers who have local knowledge, for instance.

Mr Lee noted that clients already experience one-stop services. For example, four of its regional offices worked together to help a major European coffee roaster with a multi-jurisdiction buyout this year.

He added that the regional legal practice will be well placed to provide cross-border transactional and dispute resolution services.