July 28 2004 - Mallesons and Kwok & Yih merge to form real and credible alternative to top US and UK firms operating in Hong Kong/China
Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Kwok & Yih have jointly announced that Mallesons’ Hong Kong practice and Kwok & Yih will merge.
In jointly announcing the merger of the two firms, Larry Kwok, the Managing Partner of Kwok & Yih said:
"In our part of the world, this is truly a merger of equals. It enables Kwok & Yih to expand the range of services it provides to its major clients in both Hong Kong and China. With Mallesons, we will have in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, full service international capability to offer our clients in corporate (M&A), finance, litigation, construction and projects."
Tony D’Aloisio, the Chief Executive Partner of Mallesons said:
"We have listened to our clients. They have liked what we offer in Hong Kong and China but they have wanted a broader range of services, more local knowledge and language skills and a presence in Shanghai and a bigger presence in Beijing. With Kwok & Yih, we can now meet their needs."
The merger will take effect from 1 October 2004. Larry Kwok will be the Managing Partner of the merged Hong Kong/China operation.
The firm will formally practise under the name Mallesons Stephen Jaques but because of their outstanding reputation, the name Kwok & Yih will be prominent for some time on its letterhead.
"With this increased capability, Mallesons will be a real and well credentialed alternative to the Magic Circle (UK) firms and US firms operating in Hong Kong and China," said Tony D’Aloisio.
Over recent years, Mallesons has consolidated its position in Australia as the top corporate and finance firm and built a solid reputation in the region and internationally. This merger builds on the firm’s already solid foundation in Hong Kong and accelerates its commitment to China.
Kwok & Yih is a modern, top corporate law firm and with its founding partners, Larry Kwok and Dieter Yih, has built an outstanding reputation in a broad range of corporate and China work. The firm has been very successful and competes head to head with international law firms operating in Hong Kong and mainland China.
The merged firm will move to new premises within the new International Finance Centre, Tower 2 towards the end of this year. The following table sets out the size of the combined firm.
|
Kwok & Yih |
Mallesons HK |
Merged HK/China |
|
|
Partners |
7 |
8 |
15 |
|
Fee earners |
21 |
25 |
46 |
|
Support staff |
25 |
34 |
59 |
|
Total |
53 |
67 |
120 |
|
Position in terms of size by total fee earners in Hong Kong |
One of the top 30 largest firms |
One of the top 30 largest firms |
One of the top 10 largest firms |
|
Mainland China offices |
Shanghai |
Beijing |
Beijing, Shanghai |
|
Areas of practice |
Corporate, M&A, capital markets, China capital markets, restructuring and insolvency, litigation |
Banking and finance, construction, corporate, litigation, telecommunications & IT, projects & energy, environment |
Full range of top firm service (eg corporate, M&A, capital markets, finance, securities, litigation, construction, projects, China investments, environment) |
Jomati Consultants (London) advised Mallesons Stephen Jaques on this merger.