Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has become the latest international law firm to move into the Western Australian market, announcing plans for a merger with the local office of Minter Ellison.
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has become the latest international law firm to move into the Western Australian market, announcing plans for a merger with the local office of Minter Ellison.
The US-based firm announced today it was "finalising talks with the majority of partners" at Minter Ellison Perth, which is financially independent from the national Minter Ellison practice. The move follows the arrival of Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy, Norton Rose and DLA Piper, although this is the first such move with an exclusive focus on WA in the first instance.
John Poulsen will be the designated managing director of the newly named Squire Sanders Australia which will begin life with 15 partners in Perth, making it one of the largest law firms in Perth. Minter Ellison currently has the state's 4th largest practice, with 19 partners and 101 legal staff, according to WA Business News Book of Lists.
Minter Ellison has reportedly responded by announcing plans to re-establish its Perth base within months, planning to add six partners to join the four that have remained. The Perth firm had never been financially integrated into the national business and it was during talks commenced a year ago to make that transition that the WA partnership started looking at alternatives such as an overseas link up. It is understood that the Perth partnership, which was Northmore Hale Davey & Leake prior to its modern guise, has held discussion with several overseas groups before talks with Squire Sanders began in earnest a few months ago.
The Squire Sanders Australia partnership will operate within a Swiss Verein structure, which is common across multinational law firms.
Squire Sanders, which was established in the US city of Cleveland in 1890, has lawyers in 46 offices and 16 countries around the world and describes itself as a top 25 global law firm. It recently merged with UK-based firm Hammonds, adding 500 people and a significant eastern European presence to its business.
“The potential combination of Squire Sanders and partners from Minter Ellison Perth would add to our capabilities and developing practice in Asia, with Perth providing a key hub for services to the region’s growing economies” Squire Sanders global chief executive James Maiwurm said.
“We are attracted to the Minter Ellison Perth partners because of their strong domestic practices and outstanding energy and resources component, which will complement and strengthen Squire Sanders’ existing practices and expertise.
“The enhanced practice will enable the combined firm to strengthen relationships with clients in Japan and China, where Squire Sanders has strong offices, and with clients and opportunities in Africa, and the rest of South East Asia.”
Minter Ellison Perth managing partner John Poulsen said the combination was a natural and strategic fit.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our lawyers and staff to be part of a global platform that enhances our strong domestic and international practice. This is the first recognition by a global law firm that Perth is a key hub serving the Asia-Pacific, one of the world’s most dynamic economies,” Mr Poulsen said.
The local law sector has recently been transformed with a series of high-profile moves by international firms, beginning with the arrival of UK giant Allen & Overy to Perth just over a year ago via the recruitment of about a dozen Clayton Utz partners.
Fellow UK 'golden circle' firm Clifford Chance moved into the Australian market when it merged with Perth’s Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe and Sydney’s Chang, Pistilli & Simmons in May.
In other moves, the Australian practice of Deacons became Norton Rose Australia and has officially joined the UK-based Norton Rose Group while Phillips Fox joined the DLA network and now trades as DLA Piper.
Another notable move was this year's merger of West Perth-based resources specialist Blakiston and Crabb with Sydney firm Gilbert + Tobin.
On the local scene, Perth-based Jackson McDonald (which has the state's 2nd largest practice) is beefing up its corporate practice by merging with McKenzie Moncrieff.
