How has the turmoil in its European arm affected King & Wood Mallesons in the Asia-Pacific region? Not so much, say sources inside and outside the firm.
“It is still one of the best and the most internationalized firms in China,” says a partner with a rival Chinese firm. “That reality is not going to change.” King & Wood Mallesons said in an email that its problems in Europe are “contained to that region,” and that collaboration between the firm’s China and Australia arms has not been negatively affected. In the early days following the first-ever combination of a Chinese and an Australian firm in 2012, King & Wood Mallesons saw its share of turnover. In 2013 and 2014, prominent departures included former Australian managing partner Tony O’Malley, Sydney-based former global litigation head Beau Deleuil and Bai Yanchun, co-founder of legacy King & Wood.
