Mourant has reinforced its new assault on the Cayman legal market by becoming the first offshore law firm anywhere to open a New York legal services office. This follows the recent announcement that it is joining forces with Cayman firm Quin & Hampson. Senior associate Simon Felton is relocating from Mourant’s London office in April. He will be Mourant's first foreign legal consultant in New York and will be based at the firm’s existing office in Manhattan, which currently provides third party fund administration and tax compliance services to some of the highest profile private equity funds in North America and which has grown to a team of 35 people since opening in March 2005. Stephen Ball, chief executive officer of Mourant du Feu & Jeune, said: “This is a very significant development for the offshore legal world. New York is a vital feeder market for the Cayman Islands, and we’re very excited to be the first offshore law firm to open an office there. It will be a key element in the business development strategy for our enlarged Cayman practice.” The firm has ambitious plans to grow the new office along the lines of its four-partner London office, one of the largest offshore practices in the City. Mourant, which marks its sixtieth anniversary in 2007, has 850 people operating from offices in seven countries.