Multinational: Freshfields resists expansion in favor of existing offices

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer reportedly has no plans to expand its practice into Australia or South Korea like its rivals, but instead prefers to focus on growing its existing offices in Asia.

Freshfields regional managing partner Rob Ashworth told reporters that when it comes to Australia, “there’s been a great rush into it,” but that the firm prefers “to work closely with a number of the firms that we have relationships with and service clients through an onshore/offshore capability and we don’t see that approach changing.”

The firm’s denial of plans to move down under follow earlier rumors that Freshfields had been in discussions with firms, including Herbert Smith Freehills, to potentially launch operations in Australia.

Similarly, reports say, the firm has no plans to move into South Korea, while 19 rival law firms have opened doors in the nation in the last year-and-a-half.

Instead, the law firm, which specializes in antitrust and other financial matters, will focus on existing locations in Singapore and Hong Kong, reports say.

Full Content: Legal Week

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