International firm announces co-op with China’s AllBright
Bird & Bird has announced a co-operative agreement with AllBright Law Offices in China, one of the country’s top 5 domestic law firms.
The deal will give AllBright and its clients access to Bird & Bird’s 28 offices in 19 countries including Sydney and Singapore. It will also operate its first European representative office based in Bird & Bird’s London location.
For Bird & Bird it means a stronger presence in the Chinese market with access to AllBright’s 18 offices. It fits with the firm’s Asia Pacific expansion which has seen 5 offices open over the past decade with 5 co-op agreements.
"I am very excited to be working alongside AllBright as we evolve our presence in the Chinese market,” said Justin Walkey, Chairman of Asia Pacific at Bird & Bird. “We have a strong China platform and our new relationship with AllBright will allow our global network to support the many Chinese companies expanding out into other international markets."
DLA Piper co-chair heads to Lathams
Latham & Watkins has added three partners to its practice in Spain including the former co-chair of DLA Piper.
Juan Picon will assume the role of managing partner of the Madrid office and is joined by fellow corporate partners Ignacio Gómez-Sancha, and José Antonio Sánchez-Dafos. The three have worked closely together for years.
The team’s addition will build on Latham’s marquee practice in Spain over the last decade with a focus on private equity funds, investment banks and international corporates.
Former MoFo chair pivots into legal recruiting
Keith C. Wetmore, former chair and chief executive partner of Morrison & Foerster has moved into legal recruiting.
He is joining international legal profession recruiter Major, Lindsey & Africa in San Francisco to seek out the next generation of law firm talent.
"During my tenure, I hired over one hundred lateral partners and counselled hundreds of partners annually on their professional development," said Wetmore. "I'm looking forward to building on this passion as both a career consultant to lawyers and a strategic advisor to firms in my new role with Major, Lindsey & Africa."
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