Brobeck Hale and Dorr, the first US law firm to set up outside the City of London, has built up a thriving practice by moving closer to the heart of business.

Instead of operating from city centre sites like other law firms, Brobeck Hale and Dorr has set up its UK office at Milton Park, near Abingdon, in the centre of silicon activity.

The company took more than 10,000 sq ft of air-conditioned, technology-laden office space of office space last year and hasn't looked back.

The office, set up by ex-Morgan Cole trio Joe Pillman, Jonathan Loake and Kate Eavis, now employs 14 people and has taken on another 10,000 sq ft, which could be used for further expansion.

The team has already helped the firm cut a swathe through fellow US practices, as it worked on a number of high-profile company flotations, including QXL.com, Parthus Technology, Arc International, Eyretel and Autonomy.

One of its big-name floats was Bookham Technology, also based at Milton Park, was an instant success, catapulting it briefly into the FTSE 100.