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New York's Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is opening a full office in Los Angeles after promoting associate Dan Clinver to partnership. The firm has had a presence in Los Angeles for some time, primarily to service key client Seagram, the acquisitive Canadian entertainment and drinks group. New partner Dan Clinver will head the office focusing on corporate matters.

German firm Bruckhaus Westrick Stegemann is to merge with Austria's Heller, Löber, Bahn & Partners. This, the first cross-border merger between a German and an Austrian firm, takes effect from January 1 1998. "We at Bruckhaus do not want to end up as a German niche firm, we want to be an international firm. We are starting from our home market, the continent," explains Burkhard Bastuck, a partner in Bruckhaus's Frankfurt office. His Dusseldorf-based partner Günter Beckmann agrees: "Focusing our strengths in central Europe will also provide us with a foundation for expanded business in western Europe and in regions with Anglo-American legal traditions."

Commission view on changeover to the euro; Commission acts on harmful tax competition; Consultation on the freedom to provide insurance services

In May 1997 the Danish Parliament adopted an Act (No. 475/1997) amending the regulation of the activities of executive officers of insurance companies, banks, mortgage institutions etc. Most sections of the Act come into force on January 1 1998.

Spain’s preparations for the single European currency have started by establishing commissions to study the possible response. Continuity of contract seems secure. By Luis García Cruz and Hugh McCairley, Bufete Mullerat & Roca, Barcelona

The Swiss government has decided that no statutory change is necessary; existing legal doctrines should ensure continuity of contracts. By Martin Anderson and Urs Schenker of Baker & McKenzie, Geneva and Zurich

New York and other US states have made substantial preparations for the advent of Emu to ensure continuity of contracts. By Daniel Cunningham and Thomas Werlen of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York

The leading international trade associations have combined to produce market conventions for the euro. They are winning increasing acceptance across Europe. By Clifford R Dammers of the International Primary Market Association, London

Credit Lyonnais is selling its majority shareholding in Woodchester Investments to GE Capital for a cash consideration of £591 million (US$958 million) to GE Capital. UK firm Allen & Overy and Irish firm William Fry is advising Woodchester and UK firm Clifford Chance is representing GE Capital.

Ameritech, the Chicago-based telecommunications group, is to take a 40% stake in Tele Danmark, the Danish carrier. The deal is valued at US$3.1 billion. Ameritech is buying the 45 million shares from the Danish government, which partly privatized Tele Danmark three years ago. The deal will reduce the government's stake to 51%. US firm Kirkland & Ellis and Danish firm Bech-Brunn & Trolle advised Ameritech on US and Danish law issues. Corporate partner Robert Osborne led the team for Kirkland & Ellis alongside tax partners George Javaras and Herwig Schlunk. M&A partner Sven Krogstrup and banking and finance partner Jørgen Reimer Jensen handled the local law advice for Bech-Brunn & Trolle.