Luther and Fidal are founding unyer – a new global organisation of leading international professional services firms

• A global reach, one exclusive member per country and an approach that offers more than legal advice are main drivers and benefits
• unyer is a game changer and addresses client’s needs in drastically changing markets
• unyer’s members share a compelling industry focus and closeness and will advise in all matters across all jurisdictions 
• Founding members Luther and Fidal share a similar fit and approach and expect new members to match this

Cologne and Paris, 5 May 2021 – Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH (Luther) and FIDAL (Fidal) are today announcing the foundation of unyer, a new global organisation. Fidal and Luther plan to expand their international reach by forming a branded organisation of leading international professional services firms. Luther and Fidal, both leading independent law firms in Germany and France respectively, are joining forces as founding partners and are thus taking the next step in their strategic development. unyer has a global reach, one exclusive member per country and provides much more than legal services.

unyer is unique. With a global platform, shared culture and a full-service offer, unyer will meet the expectations of new members that will remain independent in their jurisdictions while globally connected through unyer. This organisation is already made up of more than 2,000 lawyers and professionals in more than 10 countries across Europe and Asia and has a turnover of more than EUR 500 million. unyer’s strategy is to expand into the top 20 economies worldwide in the coming years.

A global approach and connectivity with strong local expertise in major markets and regions will increasingly become pivotal in decision making. unyer is the perfect answer to this megatrend. The members of unyer will have the capabilities to perform high-value legal work in an increasingly complex environment, stemming from cross-border flows of money to the proper use of ideas or innovation or the structuring of international transactions in various fields of today’s economies. 

“Today, we are very proud to be announcing the foundation of a truly unique global organisation: unyer.” says Christine Blaise-Engel, CEO of unyer and Senior Partner at Fidal, and continues: “We believe that with our new organisation and approach we are fulfilling all our client’s requirements in a drastically changing environment. With unyer we can provide all services in all jurisdictions, legal and beyond.” 

Dr Markus Sengpiel, member of the unyer Executive Committee and Co-Managing Partner at Luther, adds: “Our strongest motivation in creating unyer was a broader internationality and exclusivity, which other organisations do not have to the same extent. By adding scale, a compelling industry focus and a distinctive innovative power we are now forming a game changer. And we are open for new members if they have a similar fit and approach.”

unyer is a game changer

Clients’ needs in the international market are changing rapidly and significantly. unyer accompanies clients as a pioneer, offering complementary and scalable services and tools, e.g. in legal tech or other innovative solutions. This will shape future markets – in respect of professional services and also with regard to clients’ international success. unyer combines the professional skills of highly experienced lawyers together with a broad range of advisors in other practice areas – the members of unyer are strategists and innovators. They anticipate and adapt to the needs of the market. unyer reflects the desire to set new standards for international professional services firms and shows a new way of perceiving business advisory practice. 

unyer is the only organisation worldwide that will admit only one member from each jurisdiction – on an exclusive basis. New member firms will have a full-service offering and a strong industry focus. With these very clear criteria for its members, unyer will offer a significantly higher degree of identification and is therefore well positioned to compete with large global law firms. unyer’s clients will benefit from the knowledge and leading position of unyer’s members in their respective countries.

A compelling industry focus

unyer’s industry mindset reflects the needs of an industry focused market. Luther and Fidal have significant ties in their respective industries, based on the geographical spread of strong and well-established offices nationwide that are closely connected to the business networks. unyer anticipates the changes of markets and industries and incorporates megatrends in the solutions proposed to its clients and can therefore better orientate them in the changing demands of the markets. 

unyer’s members advise in all matters across all jurisdictions. Together, they seamlessly manage their client’s full-service needs and build a leading global organisation for the next generation and beyond. This allows unyer to offer its clients the most notable benefit: the best possible solutions with a one-stop approach under an international overarching brand.

A perfect fit

Fidal and Luther as founding partners have much in common, share the same vision and values and have a very similar hands-on approach. Both operate alike, being full-service firms with multiple decentralised offices and in close proximity to their clients. Both are powerful players in their respective markets. Both are innovative and offer tailor-made solutions for a global client base. Both have strong brands and have similar industry expertise and focus; both know how a global organisation operates.  

unyer intends to attract new members, which will be considered if they have a similar fit and culture, pragmatic approach, and strong position and reputation in their respective markets. The organisation is not only open to law firms across the globe, but is also promoting other professional services, especially innovative legal tech. A Swiss Verein is the umbrella for each member firm, which will retain their separate legal status and branding in their respective local markets. 

unyer is taking the first step in creating a new global player.