Four of Australia's 'big six' law firms merge with international players

The top 35 law firms in Australia took in a combined total of almost A$6 billion in revenues in the 2011-12 financial year, according to a report by the Business Review Weekly. Four of the ‘big six’ firms in Australia have pursued mergers with international law firms in the past year, while Clayton Utz and Minter Ellison are the only two firms from the big six that have remained independent. Freehills came in as the top earning firm in Australia following the confirmation of its merger with Herbert Smith in June. The firm took in A$565 million in revenue, ahead of rival Clayton Utz, which took in roughly A$455 million. Allens Linklaters, formed from the alliance between Allens and Linklaters in May, came in third with an estimated A$440 million in revenues. In fourth place was King & Wood Mallesons, the legal giant formed via the May merger of leading Chinese domestic firm King & Wood and top Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques. Finally, Minter Ellison placed fifth on BRW's revenue rankings, taking in revenues of A$419 million during the most recent financial year.

Four of Australia's 'big six' law firms merge with international players legalweek.com Mon, Aug 6, 2012