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The Lawyer pays a call to RL

Rochman Landau LLP is the featured firm in The Lawyer's Firm Profile column this week.  Matt Byrne of The Lawyer writes Rochman Landau, which was established more than 30 years ago, has always been known for its property core. But the London-based firm has also worked hard at building up additional areas in recent years, a strategic decision that has been particularly important during the downturn.

Litigation now generates approximately the same level of revenue as property - about 30 percent - if contentious income from areas such as insolvency, commercial, matrimonial and employment are factored in. The firm's other core area is commercial, which contributes about 20 percent, followed by private client.

Rochman Landau also has an unusual business line representing specialist art and antiquity dealers, a practice area initiated by founding partner John Rochman. "We act for a number of gallery owners, particularly those with Asian or British antiquities" says managing partner Teresa Cullen. Clients include Gregg Baker Asian Art, the British Antiques Dealers' Association and Eskenazi.

The overseas exposure this part of the practice lends has long been a feature of this single-site London firm. "International has always been part of the plan, long before the economy took a dive" says Cullen. "We don't belong to any international network, we just have a large number of countries our partners work with through referrals and contacts."

India is a good example. Cullen says the firm's visibility in the country has enhanced its reputation among the Indian community domestically.

But the firm has no plans to open offices oveseas. Indeed, its growth plan remains conservative. "We're certainly being flirted with, but we have no plans to merge with anyone, although we'd like to be bigger, maybe around 15 partners," adds Cullen.