Billed by Meritas as the ‘premier global alliance of independent law firms’, the network has grown extensively since being set up in 1990 in the US with member firms having to offer high-quality, specialist legal services and ‘uncompromising service standards’.

The strategic alliance with Meritas is part of the firm’s growth strategy, which includes building relationships with both UK and international firms to share knowledge and develop business opportunities.

Bruce Farquhar, chair of Anderson Strathern, said: “Following the strict due diligence process undertaken by Meritas, we are excited to be part of such a highly-rated strategic global network of international lawyers.

“We’ve already made a significant investment in our people and technology and joining Meritas increases our global reach while offering our clients an even larger network of legal expertise.

“We will also be working with Meritas firms to give their clients access to the complexi-ties of Scottish law with an international outlook.”

Tanna Moore, president and CEO of Meritas, said: “It’s great to welcome such a well-established independent Scottish law firm to our global alliance. We recognised Scotland as a key market for our existing members and their clients and we were looking for a top ranking firm based in Scotland. Our newest member will help our network of lawyers navigate the legal social and political landscape in Scotland.”

Anderson Strathern has grown its international reach in recent years and now has clients based in the US, South America, China, India and Europe, with client wins including German renewable energy group Vento Ludens and Thoni Industriebe-triebe, a worldwide manufacturing and engineering group based in Austria.

The firm has also increased client activity with UK-based companies like fast-growing software group Altia-ABM who are in international expansion mode. Altia-ABM CEO Ian Watson commented: “We work closely with our lawyers Anderson Strathern and have found them extremely helpful in identifying suitable advisers for us when entering international markets. The increase of their global reach through the Meritas organisation will be really helpful to us as we continue our international growth strategy.”