The Atlanta, Ga.-based law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP and the London-based law firm Arbis LLP combined to form a global energy practice that handles physical and derivative commodity trading transactions and disputes, the companies said jointly March 18.

“We are delighted to join forces with Sutherland,” said Arbis co-partner-in-charge Paul Sinnott, adding, “Together, we now have a strong presence in London, Geneva and Houston, where many of our clients, including numerous in common, have offices or do business.”

Mark Aspinall, another Arbis co-partner-in-charge, said, “Our clients will immediately benefit from this natural combination and the depth and breadth that Sutherland’s energy practice brings. Sutherland has for decades represented market leaders across the full spectrum of legal issues, including extensively in recent times in relation to significant U.S. regulatory developments.”

Sutherland has an energy, environmental and commodities practice group of more than 70 lawyers advising clients across oil and natural gas and other energy sectors, the firms said.

Within its energy practice, the firm also has more than 20 lawyers working on regulatory, transactional and enforcement issues for commodity futures and other derivatives, the firms added.

The energy practice at Arbis handles transactional, regulatory, dispute resolution and crisis management, the firms said, noting that its clients include investment banks and commodity traders.

“We are thrilled about the combination of Sutherland with such a highly respected London firm,” said Mark D. Wasserman, a Sutherland managing partner.

Wasserman continued, “The Arbis team complements and expands the services we provide, particularly in the shipping, downstream transaction, and shipping and trade dispute resolution sectors. Between our firms, we represent 11 of the top 15 global independent energy trading houses and seven of the top 10 investment banks.”

He added, “The new combined international practice takes the service of both firms’ clients to a new level. In particular, our London presence and the energy experience of our new London partners will provide tremendous value to Sutherland’s Houston-based energy sector clients with increasing international legal demands.”