Norton Rose merges with Australia's Deacons

International legal firm Norton Rose today announced that it will it will join forces with Deacons Australia. The decision follows the completion of successful votes by the respective partnerships on 22 June 2009. The new international legal practice will be called Norton Rose Group and will take effect from 1 January 2010. The new Norton Rose Group will have a turnover of more than GBP420m (AUD864m) and in excess of 1800 fee earners in 29 offices worldwide. In the Asia Pacific region, it will bring together more than 700 fee earners operating from 12 offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Canberra, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Melbourne, Perth, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. From 1 January 2010, Norton Rose Group will be led by Group Chief Executive Peter Martyr, the current Norton Rose LLP Chief Executive, and Deputy Group Chief Executive Don Boyd, the current Deacons Australia Chief Executive Partner. Norton Rose LLP Chairman, Stephen Parish, will be the Chairman of Norton Rose Group. Peter Martyr, Chief Executive Officer, Norton Rose LLP commented: “The economic influence in the world is moving eastwards and in order to develop our business we needed a significant expansion in our resources in Asia Pacific. The increased capability of the group throughout Asia Pacific will lay the foundations for further regional development and expansion.” Don Boyd, Chief Executive Partner, Deacons Australia commented: “As soon as the initial discussions were underway it became clear that there was a common global ambition, particularly in the predicted growth markets of the future, namely Asia Pacific. We have shared aspirations regarding strategic growth, both in practice area terms and geographic expansion. The business case is compelling and the synergy of working together is convincing.” Deacons Australia will join Norton Rose Group after its arrangements with Deacons Hong Kong come to an end later in the year.

Norton Rose merges with Australia's Deacons nortonrose.com Tue, Jun 23, 2009