We wondered when the major Australian law firms not already engaged with Asia would think about starting offices in the region…
The Am Law Daily reports that Clayton Utz is about to open a 2 partner office in Hong Kong… this after all their partner loss dramas in February.
Will we see other Aus firms looking northwards in 2010 ?
Spreading Wings, Clayton Utz Opens Hong Kong Office
Australian law firm Clayton Utz is venturing beyond the borders of its native land for the first time, opening a Hong Kong office with two partners.
Glenn Haley is joining the Hong Kong office from law firm Deacons, where he was previously head of that firm’s construction practice. He will be joined by Colin Dodd, also a construction partner, who is relocating from Sydney. Clayton Utz says the two partners will be joined in Hong Kong by two associates and will also have support out of Australia.
The move comes amid an ongoing debate over what role Australian firms will play in the larger Asia-Pacific region. Among the country?s largest firms, most of whom have more than 1,000 lawyers, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Allens Arthur Robinson, and Minter Ellison have built significant Asia offices, while Freehills, Blake Dawson and Clayton Utz have generally taken a more cautious approach, wary of directly taking on the many U.S. and U.K. firms already competing for business in Asia, especially China and Hong Kong.
But Clayton Utz has seen that staying home is no shield from international competition. In February the firm saw 15 current and former partners recruited by London Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy, which is opening offices in both Sydney and Perth.
http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2010/04/claytonutz.html
