National law firm Allens Arthur Robinson has struck an alliance with leading London firm Linklaters that will see the two retain their independence and separate branding but work closely together.
Allens and Linklaters said they have complementary practices that will enable them to provide a fully integrated service to clients.
Allens will become the alliance partner of Linklaters in Australia and Linklaters will become Allens’ alliance partner elsewhere in the world.
In addition, the two firms will establish joint ventures in Asia.
The alliance contrasts with the strategies employed by several other UK law firms that have entered the Australian market in the past two-and-a-half years.
Clifford Chance, Ashurst and Norton Rose have absorbed Australian law firms, while Allen & Overy established a new operation.
It also contrasts with the strategy employed by Chinese firm King & Wood and Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jacques, which have adopted joint branding.
Allens and Linklaters said that in relation to joint matters, clients will benefit from one point of contact, a unified team drawn from each firm, and advice and support provided in a consistent manner and style.
“This approach will be underpinned by the firms aligning their processes and procedures, actively sharing resources and cooperating in relation to recruitment and training,” they said in a statement.
In Asia the two firms have formed a joint venture to deliver capabilities in energy, resources and infrastructure projects work.
Additionally, for Indonesia work, the firms have formed a joint venture building on Allens’ existing relationship with Widyawan & Partners.
Allens chief executive partner Michael Rose said: “under this agreement clients will have access to the best expertise around the world through our extended teams and networks.”
Allens has 180 partners and 923 lawyers, with offices across Australia and in eight countries in Asia.
Its client base includes 77 of Australia's top 100 public companies, and 55 of the world's 100 largest companies.
Linklaters has 466 partners and 1700 lawyers spread across 27 offices in 19 countries. More than 130 of its clients have operations in Australia.
