International law firm Lovells and nine leading local Chinese firms have shocked their international and local competitors by forming a non-exclusive cooperation of law firms, the Sino-Global Legal Alliance (SGLA), in an attempt to provide coordinated legal services to clients across practice areas, provinces in China and countries.

The nine local firms (with their home cities) are Allbright (Shanghai), China Commercial (Shenzhen), Deheng (Qingdao), Dewell (Wuhan), Guangda (Guangzhou), Join & High (Tianjin), Solton & Partners (Chongqing), T&C (Hangzhou) and Wang, Wu, Yang & Ma (Shenyang). Each member firm is the sole representative from its home city in the alliance. The alliance is leaving its door open to additional Chinese members, but the likelihood of more international firms - in places with no Lovells office - seems less likely.

The SGLA - launched as a brand in its own right, with a logo and website - intends to go further than simply acting as a referral network. Instead, it will put together cross-firm practice area groups to provide clients with a nationwide - and through Lovells, international - one-stop shop for any given transaction or matter. Profit-sharing will not be on the agenda, but the cooperation agreement will provide regular and structured collaboration on training, firm management and marketing.

The alliance will work on a non-exclusive basis to allow member firms to continue working with firms outside the alliance, but as its architect, Lovells Beijing managing partner Robert Lewis (pictured), says: "The natural tendency will be for the member firms to work together because we know each other so well. If we [Lovells] have litigation work in Shanghai, for example, it'll be a no-brainer for us to use Allbright."