Herbert Smith Freehills to make largest firm in Asia Pacific

Herbert Smith and Freehills have merged to make a combined firm with 2800 lawyers, including 450 partners, in 20 offices across Asia, UK, US, EMEA and Australia, making it the largest fully integrated law firm in Asia Pacific by headcount. The move is a full equity merger with a single profit pool, and the firm will effect its comprehensive integration plans in the coming months. Herbert Smith Freehills will be led by joint CEOs David Willis and Gavin Bell. Willis explained that a top priority of the merged firm will be further international expansion, which has proceeded apace since the merger was agreed in June; Herbert Smith has opened a new office in New York and has confirmed plans for Herbert Smith Freehills to establish a presence in Germany, South Korea and Francophone sub-Saharan Africa in 2013. “We recognise that the firm's global reach, when combined with our industry sector strengths and balance of disputes and transactional expertise, will be the foundation on which we can build strong and deep client relationships,” Willis said.

Herbert Smith Freehills to make largest firm in Asia Pacific thenewlawyer.com.au Tue, Oct 2, 2012