International firm announces exclusive association in US

Milestone office launch for global firm… Ashurst opens in key European financial centre…

International firm announces exclusive association in US

DWF is partnering with a US firm as it further expands its international presence.

The UK-headquartered firm has announced an “exclusive association” with Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman. The US firm is headquartered in Los Angeles but has 22 offices across the US.

"This is a significant move for us which greatly expands our reach in the US,” said DWF managing partner and CEO Andrew Leaitherland. “DWF and WSHB already have a number of mutual clients and many more we consider mutual prospects. In particular, we both have strong insurance practices and already support some of the world's largest insurers.

The tie-up follows new offices in Australia, Singapore, Italy, and Qatar in the last financial year and a strategic tie-up with a firm in Turkey.

"Our international strategy is client-led. We have opened offices or sought association partners where it makes sense strategically and where our clients operate and tell us they need our support,” added Leaitherland.

The firm is weighing a public listing on the London Stock Exchange which would make it the UK’s largest listed law firm.

Milestone office launch for global firm
HFW has marked its 20th international office opening with a launch in Abu Dhabi.

With the launch comes the hire of two partners from Reed Smith, including its regional managing partner in the Middle East, Vince Gordon; along with partner Tania de Swart.

eadcount in the region to 19 partners and 50 lawyers across 5 offices. The firm has now expanded its international presence by 8 offices since 2016.

"Our strategy is to be the world's leading law firm to the aerospace, commodities, construction, energy, insurance and shipping sectors. As part of that strategy, we have been building capability in the international centres that are important to clients in each of those sectors,” explained Richard Crump, global senior partner.

Ashurst opens in key European financial centre
Ashurst has opened an office in Luxembourg following approval from the country’s bar association.

The firm has hired two tax partners from Loyens & Loeff, Cécile Henlé and Georges Simon, who will build on the success of its Luxembourg desk.