Thursday, December 15, 2011

Asia's Largest Law Firm - Announced Today

King & Wood, the well-regarded Chinese law firm, is "merging" with Australia's Mallesons Stephens Jacques to create what is being called Asia’s largest law firm.

The name:  King & Wood Mallesons.

A sign of the times that a significant Chinese law firm would help to lead such expansion.

Note that foreign and Chinese law firms are not allowed to share revenues and must be operated as separate law firms - hence the structure as alliances for McDermott's foray into China with MWE China Law Offices, a separate Chinese law firm.


How will the Chinese legal community react to this one?