China’s King & Wood and Australia’s Mallesons Stephen Jaques officially confirmed on Thursday that they intend to merge and create the largest law firm based in the Asia-Pacific region, sibling publication The Asian Lawyer reports. The new firm-to be called King & Wood Mallesons-will launch in March 2012.
According to The Asian Lawyer’s Jessica Seah, the long-anticipated deal “will see the firms merge their Hong Kong offices and operate under a common King & Wood Mallesons brand. The two firms’ mainland China and Australia offices will remain financially distinct and operate together a Swiss Verein structure. Both firms say over 95 percent of their respective partnerships voted in favor of the deal.”
