SJ Berwin-King & Wood merger gets green light, creates $1bn global giant

The tie-up, which marks the first major merger between a UK and an pan-Asia-Pacific firm, will go live from November this year after partner voting closed today (31 July).

The deal will combine KWM's 21 Asia-Pacific offices with SJ Berwin's UK, European and Middle East practice, creating a law firm in the top 25 largest in the world.

The combined entity will operate under the KWM banner, with the firm initially practising under the name King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin for a transitional period across the UK, continental Europe and the Middle East.

Under the terms of the tie up, SJ Berwin will join KWM's Swiss Verein structure, which currently includes three financially independent partnerships in China, Hong Kong and Australia.

KWM chairman Wang Junfeng and global managing partner Stuart Fuller will continue in their roles, with SJ Berwin senior partner Stephen Kon taking up the role of co-deputy chairman alongside Stephen Minns, who is currently KWM Australia chairman. SJ Berwin managing partner Rob Day will join the combined firm's executive committee.

The new firm will have more than 2,700 lawyers, including 553 partners. SJ Berwin will move into KWM's offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, while London-based KWM lawyers will relocate to SJ Berwin's Queen Street Place headquarters.

This is an extract from an article published on unquote's sister title Legal Week. Read the rest of the article, including industry reactions to the merger, by clicking here.

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