On the face of things, it’s easy to lump all of the latest law firm near-shoring ventures together, putting Hogan Lovells’ planned Birmingham launch alongside previous moves by Allen & Overy (A&O) and Herbert Smith Freehills into Belfast, and Ashurst into Glasgow.
But there are clear differences in how firms use these low-cost bases. And, in contrast to Ashurst and A&O, where the overwhelming majority of the roles are business services, Hogan Lovells’ move is focusing squarely on legal positions. Inevitable perhaps, given it announced plans last month to launch a business services centre in Johannesburg, following its merger with South African firm Routledge Modise in December.
