Norton Rose management in bid to 're-engage' with City partnership

It seems like management has taken its eye off the ball as it is too busy expanding overseas

Norton Rose went through a succession of major mergers between 2010 and 2013. First it merged with Australian firm Deacons in 2010, then in 2011 it merged with Canadian firm Ogilvy Renault and leading South African firm Deneys Reitz, those were followed by a second Canadian merger with Calgary-based Macleod Dixon.

In 2013 it did its biggest merger yet tying up with Houston’s Fulbright & Jaworski to create a firm with turnover of nearly $2bn (£1.26bn).

Former partners argue many City partners feel isolated and detached from the firm’s stategy as Norton Rose Fulbright beds down following its rapid overseas expansion. They are also believed to be unhappy with profitability levels.

“There have been partner meetings to re-engage with the London partners. A lot of them aren’t happy with the level of profitability. It seems like management has taken its eye off the ball as it is too busy expanding overseas,” said one source close to the firm.

Norton Rose merged with US firm Fulbright & Jaworski in 2013 which saw it gain 11 offices and nearly 800 lawyers in the US.

In 2014, the newly merged firm launched an office in Rio de Janeiro, its 55th office worldwide.

A Norton Rose partner said that while the London partnership was always “briefed on strategy changes” that the new initiative was a welcome move.

“I think it is important in any people business to keep people informed and it is important to do this face to face. I have not attended the two meetings but I hear that they were well received by the partners.”

Partners are finding it helpful to hear the strategy from the horse’s mouth and understand why it is happening.

Previously, the London partnership had little opportunity to voice their opinions to management, said former partners.

“You would occasionally get videos from the management and we would have departmental meetings or global practice area get-togethers. But there was less direct engagement with senior management.”

Another added: “Partners are finding it helpful to hear the strategy from the horse’s mouth and understand why it is happening. Previously [department] heads came in and just briefed partners on what was going to happen and it wasn’t explained.”

Scott replaced Martyr in the head of EMEA position as previously Martyr served as both global CEO and EMEA head. Scott will be in place for a three year term until January 2018.

Earlier this year, Norton Rose abolished the deputy managing partner role as Scott’s appointment negated the business need for a deputy to support Martyr.

Tim Marsden had held the deputy post since 2011. He remains at the firm as a partner and head of risk advisory for EMEA.