DETROIT – The law firm of Butzel Long has established two new Alliance offices in Mexico in the cities of Mexico City and Monterrey to go along with existing offices in Shanghai and Beijing, plus nine offices in Michigan, Florida, Washington D.C. and New York City.

The new Alliance offices in Mexico are part of a deal with the law firm of Gil Elorduy, Yarritu y Asociados. The two law firms have been partnering for more than a decade.

?The establishment of our Mexico Alliance offices defines a new era

of our long-time professional relationship with the GILYA firm, and the high level of respect we have for Francisco and Sergio,? said Butzel Long Chairman Philip Kessler. ?A growing number of our clients have increasing needs in Mexico, especially in the automotive sector. By establishing Alliance offices in Mexico, we have enhanced the resources and service levels available to our clients.?

Butzel Long has a long-established practice focused on Mexico. Butzel Long lawyer Marie Alsace Galindo is the only Mexican attorney certified by the State Bar of Michigan to advise on Mexican law. Galindo is based in the firm?s Detroit office and serves as international practice advisor on Mexican and Latin America legal and business issues.

?Marie?s experience and professional relationships both in Mexico and in the Mexican business community here in Michigan and throughout the Midwest offers an advantage to our clients,? said Jim Bruno, Butzel Long shareholder who oversees the firm?s Mexican project. ?She has cultivated strong relationships with several important Mexican business and industry groups, with an emphasis on automotive and manufacturing organizations. We have been able to provide real value to companies with existing cross-border operations, or those considering such moves.?

Automotive suppliers are enjoying a record year of sales in the first half of 2007 according to Mexico?s national supplier association, known as INA, and as reported in the Automotive News trade journal.

Butzel Long, established in 1854, employs 225 attorneys. The firm represents clients from diverse industries on regional, national and multinational levels, and is the sole Michigan member of Lex Mundi, a global association of 160 independent law firms.

For more information, click on Butzel.Com

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