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{{Short description|International law firm}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox Law Firm
{{Infobox Law Firm
| firm_name = King & Wood Mallesons
| firm_name = King & Wood Mallesons
| firm_logo = [[File:King & Wood Mallesons 2012.png]]
| firm_logo = [[File:King & Wood Mallesons 2012.png]]
| num_offices = 27
| num_offices = 26
| num_attorneys = 2,000+ lawyers
| num_employees =3,000+ lawyers
| practice_areas = Commercial Law
| headquarters = [[The Landmark (Hong Kong)|The Landmark]]<br>[[Hong Kong]]
| key_people ={{ubl|Sue Kench (Global Chief Executive) | [[Wang Junfeng]] (Global [[Chairman]])}}
| num_employees =
| revenue =
| practice_areas = General practice
| key_people =[[Wang Junfeng]]<br>(Global Chairman)
| revenue = $1.02 billion<ref>http://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/index.php/lb-blog-view/5449-kwm-global-revenue-drops-1-as-firm-unveils-2020-strategy-and-restructures-london-practice</ref>
| date_founded = 2012 (by merger)
| date_founded = 2012 (by merger)
| founder =
| founder =
| company_type = [[Swiss Verein]] structure
| company_type = [[Swiss Verein]] structure
| firm_slogan = The Power of Together
<!-- Infobox does not support the following parameter:| firm_slogan = The Power of Together -->
| homepage = [http://www.kwm.com www.kwm.com]
| homepage = {{Official URL}}
}}{{COI|date=December 2024}}
}}
'''King & Wood Mallesons''' ('''KWM''') is an international commercial law firm based in [[Asia–Pacific|Asia-Pacific]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2024 |title=Locations |url=https://www.kwm.com/global/en/locations.html |website=King & Wood Mallesons}}</ref> It is the largest international law firm in Asia-Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2023 Global 200: The Largest Firms in the Asia Pacific Ranked By Head Count |url=https://www.law.com/international-edition/2023/09/19/the-2023-global-200-the-largest-firms-in-the-asia-pacific-ranked-by-head-count/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Law.com International |language=en-us}}</ref> It has 26 offices and more than 3,000 legal professionals across [[Australia]], [[Hong Kong|China]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Japan]], [[Singapore]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.kwm.com/au/en/about-us.html |website=King & Wood Mallesons}}</ref>
'''King & Wood Mallesons''' ('''KWM''', {{zh|s=金杜律师事务所|t=金杜律師事務所|p=Jīndù Lǜshī Shīwùsuǒ}}) is a [[multinational corporation|multinational]] [[law firm]] headquartered in Hong Kong. Its predecessor firms included King & Wood, a member of the [[Red Circle (law firms)|Red Circle]] of leading Chinese law firms, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, one of the [[Big Six law firms|Big Six]] leading Australian law firms, and [[United Kingdom|British]]-headquartered, "Silver Circle" law firm [[SJ Berwin]].


Prior to KWM's current structure, its predecessor firms included [[SJ Berwin]] of the United Kingdom's [[Silver Circle (law firms)|"Silver Circle"]], [[Mallesons Stephen Jaques]], one of the [[Big Six (law firms)|"Big Six"]] Australian law firms, and King & Wood, one of China's [[Red Circle (law firms)|"Red Circle"]] law firms.
KWM is the first and only global law firm based in Asia and as of March 2015 was the largest law firm headquartered outside of the [[United States]] or [[European Union]].<ref name="thelawyer">{{cite web|url=http://www.thelawyer.com/king-and-wood-mallesons/414856.supplier?storycode=3003344#crumbtrail|title=King & Wood Mallesons - Overview &#124; The Lawyer|publisher=thelawyer.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref><ref>http://www.kwm.com/en/about-us</ref> It is the 6th largest firm in the world by number of lawyers and one of the top thirty by revenue, as at 2015.<ref name="americanlawyer.com">http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202471809600/2014-Global-100-TopGrossing-Law-Firms-in-the-World-?slreturn=20150406105516</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202670899426/The-Global-100-Most-Revenue</ref> In 2016, BRW named the firm as Australia's best professional services firm and best law firm with revenue over $200 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://clientchoiceawards.net/2016-client-choice-awards-finalists-winners/|title=2016 Client Choice Awards Finalists and Winners - Client Choice Awards|newspaper=Client Choice Awards|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-28}}</ref>

KWM alumni include judges of a number of courts, including the [[High Court of Australia]], the [[Federal Court of Australia]], the Supreme Court of [[Supreme Court of New South Wales|New South Wales]] and [[Supreme Court of Victoria|Victoria]], as well as a [[John Howard|former Prime Minister]], the [[Gillian Triggs|President of the Australian Human Rights Commission]], and members of the [[Parliament of Australia|Commonwealth Parliament]].<ref>[[King_%26_Wood_Mallesons#Alumni|King & Wood Mallesons - Notable alumni]].</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:The Landmark Gloucester Tower 201501.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Gloucester Tower, The Landmark, KWM's global headquarters]]
[[File:The Landmark Gloucester Tower 201501.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Gloucester Tower, KWM's Hong Kong office]]
King & Wood Mallesons formed on 1 March 2012 as a combination of Chinese firm ''King & Wood PRC Lawyers'' and Australian firm ''Mallesons Stephen Jaques'', following votes in November 2011.<ref>Financial Times (2011). [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc8a7576-15ec-11e1-a691-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1ey1uXz8D Australian law firm votes for Chinese merger]. Retrieved 28 November 2011.</ref><ref>The Lawyer (2011). [http://www.thelawyer.com/king-and-wood-and-mallesons-plan-for-post-merger-globalisation/1010353.article King & Wood and Mallesons plan for post-merger globalisation]. Retrieved 28 November 2011.</ref> The firm uses a [[Swiss Verein]] structure, and has four financially independent partnerships: Australia; Europe and the Middle East; Hong Kong; and [[Mainland China]], [[Japan]] and the United States.<ref>The Lawyer (2012). [http://www.thelawyer.com/king-and-wood-and-mallesons-iron-out-confidentiality-issues-ahead-of-merger/1011602.article King & Wood and Mallesons iron out confidentiality issues ahead of merger]. Retrieved 1 March 2012.</ref>


=== Predecessor firm history ===
===Mallesons Stephen Jaques===
[[File:Govenor Phillip Tower.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Governor Phillip Tower, KWM's Australian headquarters]]
Mallesons Stephen Jaques was considered one of, and the most profitable of, the [[Big Six law firms]] in Australia. The "Mallesons" part of the firm's name comes from one of the Melbourne founding partners - Alfred Brooks Malleson. Malleson was born at [[Richmond Hill, London|Richmond Hill]], on the [[Surrey]] side of the [[River Thames|Thames]] in 1831. As a 25-year-old London solicitor, Malleson borrowed £10 from his uncle to go to Melbourne, in 1856. Malleson was a leading practitioner. His obituary in ''[[The Argus (Australia)|The Argus]]'' in 1892 recorded that his expertise was especially "in company law and in the banking business. Several of the associated banks entrusted their legal affairs to the firm, as well as a large number of leading insurance and other companies, so that Mr Malleson had always as much as he could do". In 1858, the firm (then called "Muttlebury Malleson and Coster") handled the legal work to establish The National Bank of Australasia, which remains one of the firm's key clients as the present-day [[National Australia Bank]].


====Mallesons Stephen Jaques====
The "Stephen" part of the firm's former name, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, comes from the Sydney founder - Montague Stephen. He was the second son of Sir [[Alfred Stephen]] who was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales from 1844 to 1873. Montague Stephen founded the Sydney practice in 1849. One of his earliest (1853) clients was the "Australian Mutual Provident Society". Today [[AMP Limited]] remains one of the firm's key clients. The "Jaques" part of the firm's name comes from a second "Alfred" - Alfred Jaques. He became a partner of the Sydney firm in 1878. In 1888 the firm's name changed to Stephen Jaques & Stephen - the name which continued until the 1980s.
[[File:Govenor Phillip Tower.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Governor Phillip Tower]] in [[Sydney]], KWM's Australian headquarters]]
Mallesons Stephen Jaques was an Australian [[law firm]] which originated in 1832<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/au/en/about-us/history.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref> and was one of the "[[Big Six (law firms)|Big Six]]" law firms in Australia.


'Mallesons' derives from the name of the predecessor firm's founding partner; Alfred Brooks Malleson. Malleson was born at [[Richmond Hill, London|Richmond Hill]], on the [[Surrey]] side of the [[River Thames|Thames]] in 1831. As a 25-year-old London solicitor he immigrated to Melbourne in 1856. Malleson's obituary in ''[[The Argus (Australia)|The Argus]]'' in 1892 recorded that his expertise was especially "in company law and in the banking business. Several of the associated banks entrusted their legal affairs to the firm, as well as a large number of leading insurance and other companies, so that Mr Malleson had always as much as he could do". In 1858, the firm (then called "Muttlebury Malleson and Coster") handled the legal work to establish The National Bank of Australasia, which remains one of the firm's key clients as the present-day [[National Australia Bank]].
In 1974, Stephen Jaques & Stephen merged with Davies Bailey & Cater of [[Canberra]]. This firm had been established in 1926 - predating the opening of the [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|Provisional Parliament House]] in Canberra. Soon after, in 1976, the firm established its London office. In 1982, Stephen Jaques & Stephen merged with Stone James of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]. The merged firm was called "Stephen Jaques Stone James". Stone James had been established in 1832 by a third "Alfred" - Alfred Stone, [[Western Australia]]'s first solicitor. The merger reflected the growing importance of the vast mineral resources of Western Australia and its large offshore energy projects.


The "Stephen" part of the firm's former name comes from Sydney founder Montague Stephen. He was the second son of Sir [[Alfred Stephen]], the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales from 1844 to 1873. Montague Stephen founded a Sydney practice in 1849. One of his earliest (1853) clients was the "Australian Mutual Provident Society" ([[AMP Limited]]) which remains one of the modern firm's key clients.<ref name="lawyersweekly.com.au">{{Cite web |last1=Weekly |first1=Lawyers |last2=Reporter |date=2012-03-03 |title=The making of a national firm: Mallesons Stephen Jaques |url=https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/8535-the-making-of-a-national-firm-mallesons-stephen-ja |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=lawyersweekly.com.au |language=en-gb}}</ref> The "Jaques" part of the firm's name comes from a second "Alfred" – Alfred Jaques. He became a partner of the Sydney firm in 1878. In 1888 the firm's name changed to Stephen Jaques & Stephen – a name which continued until the 1980s.<ref name="lawyersweekly.com.au" />
In 1987, Stephen Jaques Stone James merged with Mallesons. The firm subsequently adopted the name of "Mallesons Stephen Jaques". At the time of the merger, Stephen Jaques Stone James - one of the leading Sydney based firms - had 79 partners and 251 solicitors (a total of 330 lawyers) and Mallesons - one of the leading Melbourne based firms - had 37 partners and 83 solicitors (a total of 120 lawyers). The 1987 merger was driven by an assessment that Sydney, Australia's international business centre and largest city, and Melbourne, the traditional home to many of Australia’s major corporations and financial institutions, had become one legal market. This had happened as a result of advances in telecommunications and computer technologies. In addition, it was felt that the merger of the two firms - with their similar cultures and backgrounds, and with many shared clients - would give the firm the necessary depth of legal talent, and the level of technological and know-how support, to be able to assist key clients internationally, as well as in Australia. The merger enabled the firm to look after clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra. In 1989, the firm opened an office in Brisbane.


In 1976, Stephen Jaques & Stephen established its London office. In 1982, it merged with Stone James of [[Perth]]. The merged firm was called "Stephen Jaques Stone James". Stone James had been established in 1832 by Alfred Stone, [[Western Australia]]'s first solicitor.<ref name="lawyersweekly.com.au" /> The merger reflected a growing importance of Western Australian primary industries as clients to the firm.
Mallesons Stephen Jacques established its Hong Kong office in 1989, and Beijing office in 1993. The firm also established an alliance with Posman Kua Aisi Lawyers of [[Port Moresby]], [[Papua New Guinea]] in 1995. In 2004 the firm strengthened its Beijing resources by taking on some lawyers and support staff from the former local office of [[Denton Wilde Sapte]]. Later that year Mallesons merged with the Hong Kong and [[Shanghai]] corporate boutique Kwok & Yih.


In 1987, Stephen Jaques Stone James merged with Mallesons. The firm was renamed "Mallesons Stephen Jaques".<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/130625917 Top law firms to merge] ''[[Canberra Times]]'' 5 November 1986, page 17. Via Trove</ref> The 1987 merger was driven by an assessment that Sydney and Melbourne had become one legal market. The merger enabled the firm to look after clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra. In 1989, the firm opened an office in Brisbane. The firm opened a Hong Kong office in 1989, and a Beijing office in 1993. It established an alliance with Posman Kua Aisi Lawyers of [[Port Moresby]], [[Papua New Guinea]] in 1995. In 2004 the firm strengthened its Beijing resources by taking on lawyers and support staff from [[Denton Wilde Sapte]]. Later that year Mallesons merged with the Hong Kong and [[Shanghai]] corporate boutique Kwok & Yih.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Nick |title=Mallesons to merge with ex-Andersen Legal firm {{!}} mallesons, merge, exandersen, legal, firm |url=https://www.financeasia.com/article/mallesons-to-merge-with-ex-andersen-legal-firm/32723 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=FinanceAsia}}</ref>
The firm was named "Australian law firm of the year" by PLC Global, Who's Who Legal, IFLR Asian Awards, INSTO Distinction Awards, and others, for many years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mallesons.com/our_firm/5501514W.htm |title=Reputation |date=2011-02-16 |access-date=2016-11-28 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216212739/http://www.mallesons.com/our_firm/5501514W.htm |archivedate=16 February 2011 |df= }}</ref>


===King & Wood PRC Lawyers===
====King & Wood PRC Lawyers====
King & Wood was among the first law firms established in the People’s Republic of China during the modern era. In 1993, King & Wood’s founding partners were still working with a state-sponsored organization, the [[China Council for the Promotion of International Trade]], when the central government permitted private ownership of law firms, allowing them to create the firm.
King & Wood was among the first law firms established in the People's Republic of China during the modern era. In April, 1993, King & Wood's founding partners were still working with a state-sponsored organization, the [[China Council for the Promotion of International Trade]], when the central government permitted private ownership of law firms, allowing them to create the firm.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}


The firm’s clients included [[Citigroup]], [[China Life]], [[Wal-Mart]], [[PetroChina]], [[Bank of China]], the [[Beijing Organizing Committee]] of the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="chambersandpartners">{{cite web|url=http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/2293-34953 |title=King & Wood Mallesons – Beijing – Law Firm Profile - Chambers Global 2014 – Chambers and Partners |publisher=chambersandpartners.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref> Prior to merging with Mallesons Stephen Jacques, King & Wood maintained an alliance with Australian law firm [[Gilbert + Tobin]].<ref>''Australian Financial Review'', [http://afr.com/p/national/legal_affairs/mallesons_firms_up_asian_link_Fj7BT1ZUlgRpvjNWDr9mVL "Mallesons firms up Asian link"], 7 October 2011, p. 20.</ref><ref>The New Lawyer (2011). [http://www.thenewlawyer.com.au/article/Mallesons-Chinas-King-Wood-plan-alliance/530805.aspx Mallesons, China's King & Wood, plan alliance] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814053049/http://www.thenewlawyer.com.au/article/mallesons-chinas-king-wood-plan-alliance/530805.aspx |date=14 August 2011 }}. Retrieved 7 October 2011.</ref>
The firm's clients included [[Citigroup]], [[China Life]], [[Walmart]], [[PetroChina]], [[Bank of China]], the [[Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games]] of the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="chambersandpartners">{{cite web|title=King & Wood Mallesons – Beijing – Law Firm Profile – Chambers Global 2014 – Chambers and Partners|url=http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/2293-34953|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229131931/http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/2293-34953|archive-date=29 February 2012|access-date=7 March 2015|website=chambersandpartners.com}}</ref> Prior to merging with Mallesons Stephen Jacques, King & Wood was aligned with Australian law firm [[Gilbert + Tobin]].<ref name="afr-asian-link">{{cite news |last1=Alex |first1=Boxsell |title=Mallesons firms up Asian link |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/mallesons-firms-up-asian-lienk-20111007-i46pq |work=Australian Financial Review |access-date=24 January 2021 |page=20 |language=en-AU |date=6 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| date=22 July 2022 |url=http://www.thenewlawyer.com.au/article/Mallesons-Chinas-King-Wood-plan-alliance/530805.aspx |title= Mallesons, China's King & Wood, plan alliance |work=The New Lawyer|access-date= 7 October 2011}} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814053049/http://www.thenewlawyer.com.au/article/mallesons-chinas-king-wood-plan-alliance/530805.aspx|date=14 August 2011}}.</ref>


===SJ Berwin / KWM Europe ===
====SJ Berwin====
SJ Berwin was founded by lawyer [[Stanley J. Berwin]] 1982.<ref name="guide">{{citation|title=King & Wood Mallesons – True Picture |work=Chambers Student Guide 2012|url=http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/Law/FirmFeature/362|access-date=7 March 2015|publisher=chambersstudent.co.uk}}</ref> From 1992 the firm underwent a strategy of European expansion. In 2009 the firm opened three offices in Hong Kong, Dubai and Shanghai respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-03-30 |title=SJ Berwin to open in Hong Kong |url=https://www.iflr.com/article/2a642tzy0b4qmjwbinpq8/sj-berwin-to-open-in-hong-kong |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=IFLR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Even |first=Erik |title=SJ Berwin, Expands Offices, Benjamin Aller, Foreign Offices {{!}} JDJournal |url=https://www.jdjournal.com/2009/04/29/sj-berwin-expands-into-dubai/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=jdjournal.com |date=29 April 2009 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SJ Berwin launches new office in Shanghai |url=https://www.law.com/international-edition/2009/10/30/sj-berwin-launches-new-office-in-shanghai/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Law.com International |language=en-gb}}</ref>
In 2013, King & Wood Mallesons and [[United Kingdom|British]]-headquartered, "Silver Circle" law firm [[SJ Berwin]] announced that from 1 November 2013 SJ Berwin would merge with King & Wood Mallesons by joining the Swiss Verein as a fourth member.<ref>[http://www.mallesons.com/publications/mediaReleases/2013/Pages/-KING--WOOD-MALLESONS-AND-SJ-BERWIN-COMBINE-TO-CREATE-FIRST-GLOBAL-LAW-FIRM-HEADQUARTERED-IN-ASIA.aspx KING & WOOD MALLESONS AND SJ BERWIN COMBINE TO CREATE FIRST GLOBAL LAW FIRM HEADQUARTERED IN ASIA]. 2013-07-31</ref>


==== Merger ====
SJ Berwin was founded by lawyer [[Stanley J. Berwin]] along with 15 lawyers in 1982.<ref name=guide>{{cite web|url=http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/Law/FirmFeature/362 |title=King &amp; Wood Mallesons - True Picture &#124; Chambers Student Guide 2012 |publisher=chambersstudent.co.uk|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref> It was driven forward by Berwin until his death in 1988,<ref name="thelawyer2">{{cite web|url=http://www.thelawyer.com/hall-of-fame-the-great-and-the-good-(a-to-k)/130389.article |title=Hall of Fame: The great and the good (A to K) &#124; Analysis &#124; The Lawyer |publisher=thelawyer.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref> after which he was succeeded by Christopher Haan. In 1992, leadership of the firm was handed over to David Harrel, who led the firm for 13 years. Harrel oversaw SJ Berwin's strategy of European expansion. The management of the firm passed to fund formation partner Jonathan Blake in 2005, who took on the senior partner role alongside existing managing partner Ralph Cohen. During 2009 the firm opened three new offices in Hong Kong, Dubai and Shanghai. In 2010 Ralph Cohen stood down as Managing Partner and was replaced by Rob Day, who took office in November 2010.
King & Wood Mallesons formed on 1 March 2012 as a combination of Chinese firm ''King & Wood PRC Lawyers'' and Australian firm ''Mallesons Stephen Jaques'', following votes in November 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Australian law firm votes for Chinese merger |date=November 2011 |access-date=28 November 2011|url=https://www.ft.com/content/cc8a7576-15ec-11e1-a691-00144feabdc0#axzz1ey1uXz8D |work=Financial Times |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="thelawyer-post-global">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Margaret |title=King & Wood and Mallesons plan for post-merger globalisation |url=https://www.thelawyer.com/issues/online/king-wood-and-mallesons-plan-for-post-merger-globalisation/ |work=The Lawyer |access-date=24 January 2021 |language=en |date=23 November 2011}}</ref>


In 2013 a merger was announced between King & Wood Mallesons and the UK [[Silver Circle (law firms)|Silver Circle]] firm [[SJ Berwin]].<ref>[http://www.mallesons.com/publications/mediaReleases/2013/Pages/-KING--WOOD-MALLESONS-AND-SJ-BERWIN-COMBINE-TO-CREATE-FIRST-GLOBAL-LAW-FIRM-HEADQUARTERED-IN-ASIA.aspx King & Wood Mallesons and SJ Berwin Combine to Create first global law firm headquartered in Asia]. 31 July 2013</ref>
Post-merger, SJ Berwin LLP changed its name to "King & Wood Mallesons LLP", but traded for a transitional period as "King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin" in Europe and the Middle East.


The firm used a [[Swiss Verein]] structure, and had four financially independent partnerships: Australia; Europe and the Middle East; Hong Kong; and [[Mainland China]], [[Japan]] and the United States.<ref name="thelawyer-confidential">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Margaret |title=King & Wood and Mallesons iron out confidentiality issues ahead of merger |url=https://www.thelawyer.com/issues/online/king-wood-and-mallesons-iron-out-confidentiality-issues-ahead-of-merger/ |work=The Lawyer |access-date=24 January 2021 |language=en |date=28 February 2012}}</ref>
During the course of 2016, a number of high profile KWM European partners left the European part of the firm, and attempts to find a merger partner failed. The firm's global managing partner then stepped down amidst speculation that the European business would be recapitalised by the Chinese business.<ref>Legal Business (2016) [http://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/index.php/lb-blog-view/8185-kwm-global-head-fuller-to-stand-down-as-european-arm-closes-in-on-recapitalisation-deal Crunch time for KWM as partners meet over Chinese bailout deal]. Retrieved 20 November 2016.</ref> It was subsequently reported that the firm was being advised by an external administration specialist.


==== Demise of KWM Europe ====
On 16 November 2016, a memorandum was circulated to the European partners of KWM outlining the terms of a potential 'bail out' under which partners would have to commit to a 12 month "lock-in" (during which they could not leave the firm) and provide some additional capital. The remaining capital, £14m, would be provided by the Chinese business, and this would enable King & Wood Mallesons LLP to meet its financial obligations to lenders, pay its rents and taxes due in January 2017.<ref>The Lawyer (2016) [https://www.thelawyer.com/issues/online-november-2016/exclusive-dewey-administration-adviser-drafted-kwm-rescue-deal/?nocache=true&adfesuccess=1 Exclusive: Dewey administration adviser drafted in on KWM rescue deal]. Retrieved 20 November 2016.</ref> This deal failed to win approval; by the end of November 2016, KWM announced that it was considering a merger of its European partnership, while the law firms of [[Goodwin Procter]] and [[Covington & Burling]] were in discussions to hire key partners from KWM Europe.<ref name=":0" />
In 2016 a substantial number of important partners at KWM Europe left the firm, and attempts to find merger partners failed. It was subsequently announced the firm was being advised by external administrators.<ref>Legal Business (2016) [http://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/index.php/lb-blog-view/8185-kwm-global-head-fuller-to-stand-down-as-european-arm-closes-in-on-recapitalisation-deal Crunch time for KWM as partners meet over Chinese bailout deal]. Retrieved 20 November 2016.</ref>


In November 2016 a memorandum was circulated to European partners of KWM outlining terms of a potential 'bail out' under which they would have to commit to a 12 month lock-in period, and provide capital to the firm. Additional capital would be provided by the Chinese arm of the business. This deal failed to win approval, and by the end of November KWM announced it would disband its European partnership.<ref name="thelawyer-dewey">{{cite news |first=Tabby |last=Kinder |work=The Lawyer |url=https://www.thelawyer.com/issues/online-november-2016/exclusive-dewey-administration-adviser-drafted-kwm-rescue-deal/?nocache=true&adfesuccess=1 |title=Exclusive: Dewey administration adviser drafted in on KWM rescue deal |access-date=20 November 2016 |date=18 November 2016}}</ref> The law firms of [[Goodwin Procter]] and [[Covington & Burling]] were in discussions to hire key partners from KWM Europe.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Casey|title=Big Law Firms Circle a Global Firm Under Stress|work=Bloomberg BNA|url=https://bol.bna.com/big-law-firms-circle-a-global-firm-under-stress/|access-date=1 December 2016}}</ref> In January 2017, the European arm became subject to administration and ceased operations. The Australian, Chinese, and Hong Kong portions of KWM, which are financially and legally separate, were otherwise unaffected.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Coade|first=Melissa|date=2016-12-27|title=King & Wood Mallesons Europe arm severed|url=http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/20310-king-wood-mallesons-europe-arm-severed|access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref>
Australian Chief Executive Partner Sue Kench said that "what fundamentally let [KWM Europe] down" was that the European partners "ultimately didn't decide to put in further capital that was needed to fund their business for whatever reason."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/20450-exclusive-kwm-australia-breaks-silence-on-europe-arm-s-collapse|title=Exclusive: KWM Australia breaks silence on Europe arm's collapse|last=Ryan|first=Emma|date=2017-01-29|language=en|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref> In January 2017, the European law firm King & Wood Mallesons LLP became subject to administration under UK law and has ceased operations.


Following the insolvency of KWM Europe, the remaining Asia-Pacific side of the firm established a new business to maintain a strategic presence in the UK, Europe & the Middle East to service the needs of its global clients. KWM at that time established core practices in London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Brussels and Dubai. New companies of the KWM network were established in the UK (KWM Europe LLP) and Germany (KWM Europe Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH). The new European platform focused on Corporate M&A, Finance, Competition and Dispute Resolution and had more than 30 partners, together with associates and support staff.<ref>{{cite web |title=KWM – King & Wood Mallesons' plans for UK, Europe and the Middle East |url=http://www.kwm.com/en/knowledge/news/king-and-wood-mallesons-plans-for-uk-europe-and-the-middle-east-20170118 |access-date=19 April 2018 |website=kwm.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=KWM – Deutschland |url=http://www.kwm-europe.com/ |access-date=19 April 2018 |website=kwm-europe.com}}</ref>
The Australian, Chinese, and Hong Kong portions of KWM, which are financially and legally separate, were unaffected.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://bol.bna.com/big-law-firms-circle-a-global-firm-under-stress/|title=Big Law Firms Circle a Global Firm Under Stress|last=Sullivan|first=Casey|date=|work=|publisher=Bloomberg BNA|access-date=2016-12-01|via=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/20310-king-wood-mallesons-europe-arm-severed|title=King & Wood Mallesons Europe arm severed|last=Coade|first=Melissa|date=2016-12-27|access-date=2017-01-11}}</ref>

Immediately following end of operations of former SJ Berwin, King & Wood Mallesons has established a new business to maintain a strategic presence in the UK, Europe & the Middle East to service the needs of its global clients. KWM now has core practices in London, Frankfurt, Dubai and Riyadh and affiliated offices in Madrid, Milan and Brussels. New companies of the KWM network have been established in the UK (KWM Europe LLP) and Germany (KWM Europe Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH). The new European platform focuses on Corporate M&A, Finance, Competition and Dispute Resolution and consists of more than 30 partners, together with their associates and support staff.<ref>http://www.kwm.com/en/knowledge/news/king-and-wood-mallesons-plans-for-uk-europe-and-the-middle-east-20170118</ref><ref>http://www.kwm-europe.com/</ref>


In 2023, KWM China announced that it would, subject to regulatory requirements, cease to operate in the UK, Europe and the Middle East by 31 October 2024, as part of a cooperation agreement reached with [[Eversheds Sutherland|Eversheds Sutherland (International)]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=King & Wood Mallesons (China) and Eversheds Sutherland (International) launch formal cooperation agreement |url=https://www.eversheds-sutherland.com/en/global/news/king-and-wood-mallesons-china-and-eversheds-sutherland-international-launch-formal-cooperation-agree |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=www.eversheds-sutherland.com}}</ref>
==Operations==
==Operations==


===Main practice areas===
===Finances===
In 2012–13, the firm's total global revenue was [[US Dollar|US]]$1&nbsp;billion,<ref name="revenue">{{cite web|url=http://www.mallesons.com/publications/mediaReleases/2013/Pages/KING--WOOD-MALLESONS-AND-SJ-BERWIN-CONFIRM-COMMENCEMENT--OF-THE-FIRST-GLOBAL-LAW-FIRM-HEADQUARTERED-IN-ASIA.aspx |title=King & Wood Mallesons and SJ Berwin confirm commencement of the first global law firm headquartered in Asia |website=mallesons.com|access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref> with revenue per lawyer of US$453,000 in China,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21641291-can-law-firms-merge-when-their-legal-systems-differ-test-case-china-rules-and-laws | newspaper=The Economist | title=Rules and laws: Can law firms merge when their legal systems differ? A test case from China | date=31 January 2015}}</ref> and profit per equity partner of AU$1.08&nbsp;million in Australia<ref>Australian Financial Review (2013). [http://www.afr.com/p/national/legal_affairs/king_wood_mallesons_3PxhLfLpOIxvjPNG09LqML King & Wood Mallesons]. Retrieved 10 November 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-12-15/king-wood-mallesons-combine-to-create-asia-s-largest-law-firm | work=Bloomberg News | first=Debra | last=Mao | title=King & Wood, Mallesons Join to Form Asia's Largest Law Firm | date=16 December 2011}}</ref> and £610,000 in Europe.<ref name="thelawyer-pep-jump">{{cite news |last1=Kinder |first1=Tabby |title=Exclusive: KWM Europe and Middle East PEP jumps 39 per cent to £610k |url=https://www.thelawyer.com/issues/online-july-2015/exclusive-kwm-europe-and-middle-east-pep-jumps-39-per-cent-to-610k/ |work=The Lawyer |access-date=24 January 2021 |language=en |date=7 July 2015}}</ref>


===Pro bono===
{{div col}}
King & Wood Mallesons has a community impact practice which supports the community through pro bono legal services, community services, and philanthropy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CorporateResponsibility |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/au/en/about-us/corporate-responsibility.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref>
*Banking and finance
*[[Competition law|Competition and antitrust law]]
*[[Mergers and acquisitions]]
*[[Employment law|Employment law and industrial relations]]
*Energy, resources and projects
*[[public law|Government and public law]]
*[[Insolvency|Insolvency and restructuring]]
*[[Intellectual property]]
*International trade and investment
*Investment management
*[[Dispute resolution|Litigation and dispute resolution]]
*Real estate, construction and environment
*[[Security (finance)|Securities]] and [[capital markets]]
*[[Tax law|Taxation]], [[superannuation]] and [[pension]]s
*[[Telecommunications]], media, entertainment and [[technology]]
{{div col end}}


In 2021, more than 91% of the firm's Australian lawyers took part in pro bono work, contributing over 54,000 pro bono hours.<ref name="impact">{{citation |title=Community Impact Report 2021: Working to Transform the Justice System for Young People |date=2022 |publisher=King & Wood Mallesons |url=https://communityimpact.kwm.com/content/dam/cimick/downloads/2021%20Impact%20Report.pdf}}. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171320/https://communityimpact.kwm.com/content/dam/cimick/downloads/2021%20Impact%20Report.pdf|date=20 September 2022}}</ref>{{rp|5}}
===Offices===
King & Wood Mallesons has 27 offices across [[Asia]], [[Australia]], [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]] and [[North America]].


The firm is a long-time partner of [[Youth Law Australia]], a community legal centre that provides free legal services to children and young people across Australia.<ref name="About us">{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://yla.org.au/about-us/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Youth Law Australia |language=en-US}}</ref> The firm provides a full-time solicitor on secondment to Youth Law Australia and the firm's solicitors also volunteer as part of the Cyber Volunteer Program.<ref name="About us"/> Other organisations supported by the firm's pro bono services include: homeless law clinics, refugee legal clinics, and the Arts Law Centre.<ref name="impact"/> TalkLaw is the firm's community legal education initiative which educates disadvantaged high school students across Australia about legal topics relevant to young people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guru in the Spotlight: Katie Warner – KWM |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/au/en/insights/latest-thinking/guru-in-the-spotlight-katie-warner.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref> The KWM School of Opportunity provides disadvantaged young people with a work placement and skills development program.
===Finances===
In 2012-13, the firm's total global revenue was [[US Dollar|US]]$1&nbsp;billion,<ref name="revenue">{{cite web|url=http://www.mallesons.com/publications/mediaReleases/2013/Pages/KING--WOOD-MALLESONS-AND-SJ-BERWIN-CONFIRM-COMMENCEMENT--OF-THE-FIRST-GLOBAL-LAW-FIRM-HEADQUARTERED-IN-ASIA.aspx |title=King &amp; Wood Mallesons and SJ Berwin confirm commencement of the first global law firm headquartered in Asia |publisher=mallesons.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref> with revenue per lawyer of US$453,000 in China,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21641291-can-law-firms-merge-when-their-legal-systems-differ-test-case-china-rules-and-laws | work=The Economist | title=Rules_And_Laws | date=31 January 2015}}</ref> and profit per equity partner of AU$1.08&nbsp;million in Australia<ref>Australian Financial Review (2013). [http://www.afr.com/p/national/legal_affairs/king_wood_mallesons_3PxhLfLpOIxvjPNG09LqML King & Wood Mallesons]. Retrieved 10 November 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-12-15/king-wood-mallesons-combine-to-create-asia-s-largest-law-firm | work=Bloomberg | first=Debra | last=Mao | title=King & Wood, Mallesons Join to Form Asia's Largest Law Firm | date=16 December 2011}}</ref> and £610,000 in Europe.<ref>The Lawyer (2015). [http://www.thelawyer.com/analysis/the-lawyer-management/financial-news/exclusive-kwm-europe-and-middle-east-pep-jumps-39-per-cent-to-610k/3036958.article]. Retrieved 7 July 2015.</ref> It is the 6th largest firm in the world by number of lawyers and one of the top thirty by revenue.<ref name="americanlawyer.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===Pro bono===
King & Wood Mallesons provides pro bono legal assistance and representation on a number of matters each year and supports a number of other community initiatives.<ref name="mallesons.com">http://www.mallesons.com/community/KWMInTheCommunity/Documents/KWMiC%20Annual%20Report%202013%20%28Feb14%29%20v7.pdf</ref> The firm has a dedicated [[human rights]] group<ref name="mallesons">{{cite web|url=http://www.mallesons.com/community/Pages/HumanRights.aspx|title=KWM &#124; Australia|publisher=mallesons.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref> and, in conjunction with the [[Ted Noffs Foundation Inc|Ted Noffs Foundation]], provides free legal advice for people aged from 14 to 25.<ref>http://asklegal.com.au {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330150655/http://www.asklegal.com.au/ |date=30 March 2013 }}</ref> In 2013, the firm was named Corporate Social Responsibility Firm of the year by the Australasian Legal Business Awards, for the fifth consecutive year.<ref name="mallesons.com"/>


==Notable cases and transactions==
==Notable cases and transactions==
King & Wood Mallesons and its predecessor firms have advised on a number of notable cases and transactions.

===Australia===
===Australia===
* Advised on the merger of [[Glencore]] and [[Xstrata]].<ref name="legalbusinessonline">{{cite news|url=http://au.legalbusinessonline.com/site-search/kwm-scores-twice-in-xstrata-and-glencore-merger/108128|title=KWM Scores Twice in Xstrata and Glencore Merge |work=Asian Legal Business|publisher=LegalBusinessOnline Aus|access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref>
*Represented two Sri Lankan refugees before the [[High Court of Australia]] contesting an adverse assessment by the [[Australian Security Intelligence Organisation]] in ''Plaintiff M47-2012 v Director General of Security''.
* Advised Square Inc (now [[Block, Inc.|Block Inc]]) on its A$39 billion acquisition of [[Afterpay|Afterpay Ltd]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mergers & Acquisitions |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/au/en/expertise/practices/mergers-and-acquisitions.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref> the largest M&A deal in Australian history.<ref name="afr.com">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-01 |title=Afterpay snatches mantle as Australia's biggest deal |url=https://www.afr.com/street-talk/afterpay-snatches-mantle-as-australia-s-biggest-deal-20210729-p58e4j |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
*Defended [[Macquarie Group|Macquarie Infrastructure Investment Management Ltd]] against a [[writ of prohibition]] in ''[[Truth About Motorways v Macquarie]]''.
* Advised Lygon on the creation of the world's first digital bank guarantee using blockchain technology.<ref name="afr.com"/>
*Represented [[Gina Rinehart]] in her protracted litigation against [[Rose Porteous]].
* Advised [[Woolworths Group (Australia)|Woolworths]] on its A$400 million green loan, the first supermarket in the world to issue certified green bonds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green, Social and Sustainable Finance & Investment |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/au/en/expertise/practices/banking-and-finance/green-social-and-sustainable-finance-and-investment.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref>
*Defended former [[Treasurer of New South Wales]] [[Max Willis]] against suspension from the [[New South Wales Legislative Council]] in ''Egan v Willis''.
* Advised [[Sydney Airport]] on its A$1.4 billion sustainability-linked loan, the first syndicated sustainability-linked loan in Australia and the largest in Asia-Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KWM helps deliver landmark Sustainability Linked Loan for Sydney Airport – KWM |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/au/en/about-us/media-center/kwm-helps-deliver-landmark-sustainability-linked-loan-for-sydney-airport.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref>
*In ''[[Australian National Airways Pty Ltd v Commonwealth]]'', the firm defended [[Australian National Airways]] against forced nationalisation by the [[Australian Government]].
*Challenged the conferral of state jurisdiction on the [[Federal Court of Australia]] in ''[[Re Wakim; Ex parte McNally]] ''.
*Advised [[Glencore]] and [[Xstrata]] on their [[merger]].<ref name="legalbusinessonline">{{cite web|url=http://au.legalbusinessonline.com/site-search/kwm-scores-twice-in-xstrata-and-glencore-merger/108128|title=Asian Legal Business|publisher=au.legalbusinessonline.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref>


===China===
===China===
*Advised on the [[initial public offering]] of [[PetroChina]], which was then the largest [[Initial Public Offering|IPO]] in Chinese history, allowing the company to temporarily become the highest valued company in the world at over US$1&nbsp;trillion.<ref name="usnews">{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/articles/business/economy/2007/11/05/now-from-china-the-worlds-biggest-company.html |title=Now, From China, the World&#39;s Biggest Company - US News |publisher=usnews.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="secinfo">{{cite web|url=http://www.secinfo.com/d12Um2.z233.9.htm |title= SEC Info - Petrochina Co Ltd - SC 13E3/A - Jilin Chemical Industrial Co Ltd - On 12/23/05 - EX-99.(C).5|publisher=secinfo.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref>
* Advised on the [[initial public offering]] of [[PetroChina]].<ref name="usnews">{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/articles/business/economy/2007/11/05/now-from-china-the-worlds-biggest-company.html |title=Now, From China, the World's Biggest Company – US News |work=usnews.com|access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="secinfo">{{cite web|url=http://www.secinfo.com/d12Um2.z233.9.htm |title= SEC Info – Petrochina Co Ltd – SC 13E3/A – Jilin Chemical Industrial Co Ltd – On 12/23/05 – EX-99.(C).5|website=secinfo.com|access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref>
*Sole legal advisor to the Beijing Organising Committee of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.<ref name="globallegalinsights">{{cite web|url=http://www.globallegalinsights.com/firms/king-wood-mallesons/susan-ning|title=- King & Wood Mallesons &#124; Susan Ning|publisher=globallegalinsights.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref>
* Sole legal advisor to the Beijing Organising Committee of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.<ref name="globallegalinsights">{{cite web|url=http://www.globallegalinsights.com/firms/king-wood-mallesons/susan-ning|title=- King & Wood Mallesons &#124; Susan Ning|website=globallegalinsights.com|access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref>
*Advised [[Microsoft]] with respect to an antimonopoly investigation by the [[State Administration for Industry and Commerce]].<ref name="legalweek">{{cite web|url=http://www.legalweek.com/legal-week/news/2357830/king-wood-mallesons-acts-for-microsoft-on-china-anti-monopoly-probe|title=Legal Week - King &amp; Wood Mallesons acts for Microsoft on China anti-monopoly probe|publisher=legalweek.com|accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref>
* Advised [[Microsoft]] with respect to an antimonopoly investigation by the [[State Administration for Industry and Commerce]].<ref name="legalweek">{{cite news|url=http://www.legalweek.com/legal-week/news/2357830/king-wood-mallesons-acts-for-microsoft-on-china-anti-monopoly-probe|title=Legal Week – King & Wood Mallesons acts for Microsoft on China anti-monopoly probe|work=Legal Week|access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref>
* Advised [[Baidu]] on its HK$24 billion secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.<ref>{{Cite web |title=King & Wood Mallesons advises Baidu on its Hong Kong secondary listing |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/cn/en/about-us/media-center/kwm-advises-baidu-on-its-hk-secondary-listing.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website= KWM |language=en}}</ref>
*Representing [[Murder of Robert Kissel|Nancy Kissel]], the "Milkshake Murderer", on her appeals before Hong Kong's [[Court of Appeal (Hong Kong)|Court of Appeal]] and [[Court of Final Appeal (Hong Kong)|Court of Final Appeal]].
*Advising [[Daimler AG]] on its investment in [[Beijing Auto|BAIC Motor]] following the latter's listing on the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]].


===United Kingdom===
===United Kingdom===
*Represented ''[[OK!]]'' magazine in its dispute with [[Hello!]] over the publication of "spoiler" photographs of the wedding of [[Michael Douglas]] and [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]].<ref name=ok>{{cite web|title=SJ Berwin LLP's victory in the House of Lords for OK! in the Catherine Zeta-Jones wedding photos case|url=http://www.sjberwin.co.uk/newsdetails.aspx?mid=17&rid=1&lid=3&ctid=0&pid=2425|publisher=SJ Berwin}}</ref>
* Advised [[Lion Capital LLP]] on a string of deals including on the acquisition of fashion chain [[AllSaints]] from Icelandic banks [[Kaupthing]] and [[Glitnir]], and the £1.4&nbsp;billion acquisition of French frozen food business Picard Surgelés.<ref name="allsaints">{{cite web|title=SJ Berwin advises Lion Capital and Goode Partners on the acquisition of All Saints fashion chain|url=http://www.sjberwin.com/newsdetails.aspx?pid=2997&ctid=0&mid=1&rid=1|website=SJ Berwin}}</ref>
*Advised [[Lion Capital LLP]] on a string of deals including the on the acquisition of fashion chain [[AllSaints]] from Icelandic banks [[Kaupthing]] and [[Glitnir]], and the £1.4&nbsp;billion acquisition of French frozen food business Picard Surgelés.<ref name=allsaints>{{cite web|title=SJ Berwin advises Lion Capital and Goode Partners on the acquisition of All Saints fashion chain|url=http://www.sjberwin.com/newsdetails.aspx?pid=2997&ctid=0&mid=1&rid=1|publisher=SJ Berwin}}</ref>
*Successfully represented Datafin plc in the landmark judicial review case ''[[R v Panel on Take-overs and Mergers, ex parte Datafin plc]]''.


==Awards and recognition==
==Alumni==
Awards and recognition include:
The following list includes people who have worked or consulted for King & Wood Mallesons, or its predecessor firms:
* Law Firm of the Year, Australasian Law Awards (2022, 2023)<ref>{{Cite web |title=WINNERS 2022 {{!}} Australasian Law Awards |url=https://auslawawards.com.au/winners/2022 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=auslawawards.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Winners |url=https://auslawawards.com.au/winner-excellence-awardees-list/winners/2023-winners/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Australasian Law Awards |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{div col}}
* Australian Law Firm of the Year, Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards (2020, 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |title=KWM Recognised As Chinese And Australian Law Firm Of The Year For 2020 – KWM |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/au/en/about-us/media-center/kwm-recognised-as-chinese-and-australian-law-firm-of-the-year-for-2020.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2024 |title=KWM wins at Chambers Asia-Pacific and Greater China Region 2024 Awards |url=https://www.kwm.com/au/en/about-us/media-center/kwm-wins-at-chambers-asia--pacific-and-greater-china-region-awards-2024.html#:~:text=Asia's%20top%20tier%20international%20law,in%20Hong%20Kong%20last%20night. |website=King & Wood Mallesons}}</ref>
* Chinese Law Firm of the Year, Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards (2020)<ref>{{Cite web |title=KWM Recognised As Chinese And Australian Law Firm Of The Year For 2020 – KWM |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/au/en/about-us/media-center/kwm-recognised-as-chinese-and-australian-law-firm-of-the-year-for-2020.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Regional Law Firm of the Year, IFLR Asia Awards (2020, 2021, 2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-05-05 |title=IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2020: winners announced |url=https://www.iflr.com/article/2a63733ixysbvclx2twjk/iflr-asia-pacific-awards-2020-winners-announced |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=IFLR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-03-25 |title=IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2021: winners announced |url=https://www.iflr.com/article/2a6466axp6qvytzv6xm2o/iflr-asia-pacific-awards-2021-winners-announced |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=IFLR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |date=2023-03-23 |title=IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2023: winners announced |url=https://www.iflr.com/article/2bfp0zu4eu6spy4403rwg/iflr-asia-pacific-awards-2023-winners-announced |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=IFLR |language=en}}</ref>
* Chambers Asia-Pacific Band 1 rankings across a record 21 practice areas<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020 released: KWM recognised in 27 practice areas and 71 partners named as Leading Lawyer – KWM |url=https://www.kwm.com/content/kwm/cn/en/about-us/media-center/chambers-asia-pacific-2020-released.html |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=kwm.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Largest International Law Firm in Hong Kong, ALB Asia Top 50 Rankings (2021)<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALB Asia Top 50 2021 {{!}} Asian Legal Business |url=http://www.legalbusinessonline.com/features/alb-asia-top-50-2021 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=legalbusinessonline.com |date=22 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
* Golden League Award, China Business Law Awards by Law.asia (2024) <ref>{{Cite news |date=24 July 2024 |title=China Business Law Awards 2024 |url=https://law.asia/top-firms-china-2024/#golden |work=Law.asia}}</ref>


== Criticism ==
===Judicial appointments===
In 2018, WorkSafe Victoria launched an investigation into the firm, following complaints of overworked staff due to the high demands of working on the [[Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry|Banking Royal Commission]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Sarah |last2=Whyte |first2=Jemima |last3=Marin Guzman |first3=David |title=King & Wood Mallesons investigated for overworking employees |work=Australian Financial Review |date=11 October 2018 |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/king--wood-mallesons-investigated-for-overworking-employees-20181011-h16hei |url-status=live |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611134259/https://www.afr.com/companies/king--wood-mallesons-investigated-for-overworking-employees-20181011-h16hei}}</ref> Responses made by the firm to the investigation were reported by the AFR.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-06 |title='People champions' on lookout for workplace pressures |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/people-champions-on-lookout-for-workplace-pressures-20190528-p51s3r |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
* [[High Court of Australia]]
** [[Geoffrey Nettle]]
* [[Federal Court of Australia]]
** [[Nye Perram]]
** [[Jayne Jagot]]
*[[Supreme Court of New South Wales]]
** Ashley Black
** [[Julie Ward (judge)|Julie Ward]]
** [[Reginald Ian Barrett]]
** David Davies
** Nigel Rein
** [[Lucy McCallum]]
** [[Richard White (New South Wales judge)|Richard White]]
** Henric Nicholas
** [[Patricia Bergin]]
*[[Supreme Court of Victoria]]
** [[Emilios Kyrou]]
** [[Joanne Cameron]] <ref>Supreme Court of Victoria (2014). [http://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/home/contact+us/news/appointments+to+victorias+court+of+appeal+and+supreme+court Appointments].</ref>


In 2024, with regard to [[United States sanctions against China]], King & Wood Mallesons advised its clients in China to not to release public statements that "could attract the suspicion of or trigger an investigation by US regulators".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brazil |first=Matthew |date=December 6, 2024 |title=The Shapeshifting Evolution of Chinese Technology Acquisition |url=https://jamestown.org/program/the-shapeshifting-evolution-of-chinese-technology-acquisition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215182932/https://jamestown.org/program/the-shapeshifting-evolution-of-chinese-technology-acquisition/ |archive-date=December 15, 2024 |access-date=December 15, 2024 |work=China Brief |publisher=[[Jamestown Foundation]]}}</ref>
===Politics===


==Notable alumni==
*[[Australian House of Representatives]]
The following list includes notable people who have worked at King & Wood Mallesons.
** [[Paul Fletcher (politician)|Paul Fletcher]], Member for [[Division of Bradfield|Bradfield]]
* [[Jayne Jagot]] – High Court of Australia Justice<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-29 |title=Jayne Jagot appointed to Australia's high court, creating first majority-female bench |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/29/jayne-jagot-appointed-to-australias-high-court-creating-first-majority-female-bench |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>
** [[Josh Frydenberg]] Member for [[Division of Kooyong|Kooyong]]
* [[Simon Steward (judge)|Simon Steward]] – High Court of Australia Justice<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-23 |title=In epic struggle for the High Court, conservatives find a candidate |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/in-epic-struggle-for-the-high-court-conservatives-find-a-candidate-20200622-p5551q |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
**[[John Howard]], 25th [[Prime Minister of Australia]]
* [[Geoffrey Nettle]] – former High Court of Australia Justice<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-01 |title=The Hon Justice Geoffrey Nettle |url=https://nswbar.asn.au/docs/webdocs/BN_012015_47_50.pdf |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=NSW Bar Association |language=en}}</ref>
**[[Peter Costello]], Chairman of the Independent Advisory Board to the [[World Bank]] and former [[Treasurer of Australia]]
* [[Emilios Kyrou]] – President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Federal Court of Australia judge, and former Victorian Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australia |first=c\=AU\; co\=Commonwealth of Australia\; ou\=Federal Court of |date=2023-06-15 |title=Biography of Justice Kyrou |url=https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/about/judges/current-judges-appointment/current-judges/kyrou-j |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=www.fedcourt.gov.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
*[[Australian Senate]]
* [[Nye Perram]] - Federal Court of Australia Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointments |url=https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/NSWBarAssocNews/2008/72.pdf |website=NSW Bar Association News}}</ref>
** [[Bob Carr]], Senator for [[New South Wales]] and [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]]<ref>Bob Carr is included in his list by virtue of his role as consultant to Mallesons Stephen Jaques (as it then was) from 2006 to 2012: [http://aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=wx4 Senator the Hon Bob Carr – Parliament of Australia]</ref>
* Lisa Hespe - Federal Court of Australia Judge<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australia |first=c\=AU\; co\=Commonwealth of Australia\; ou\=Federal Court of |date=2023-11-29 |title=Judges of the Court listed by date of appointment |url=https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/about/judges/current-judges-appointment |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=www.fedcourt.gov.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
** [[Matt Thistlethwaite]], Senator for New South Wales
* [[Lucy McCallum]] – [[Chief Justice of the Australian Capital Territory|ACT Chief Justice]]<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Appointments: The Hon Justice Lucy McCallum |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/NSWBarAssocNews/2008/29.pdf |journal=Bar News |volume=82}}</ref>
*[[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]]
* [[Julie Ward (judge)|Julie Ward]] – NSW Court of Appeal President<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-16 |title=Bell rings for new chief justice |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/andrew-bell-is-new-chief-justice-of-nsw-20220216-p59wzx |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
**[[Jonathan Djanogly]], Member for Huntingdon
* [[Mark Leeming]] - NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leeming, Justice M --- "Swearing-In Ceremony of the Honourable Justice Mark James Leeming SC" [2013] NSWJSchol 23 |url=https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/NSWJSchol/2013/23.html |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=classic.austlii.edu.au}}</ref>
*[[National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]], [[People's Republic of China]]
* Anna Mitchelmore - NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointments |url=https://www8.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/NSWBarAssocNews/2022/77.pdf |website=NSW Bar News}}</ref>
** [[Wang Junfeng]], [[Communist Party of China]] delegate
* [[Ashley Black (judge)|Ashley Black]] – NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Lawyer |first1=The New |last2=Reporter |date=2013-03-04 |title=Mallesons partner appointed to NSW Supreme Court |url=https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/wig-chamber/12010-mallesons-partner-appointed-to-nsw-supreme-court |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=lawyersweekly.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Victorian Legislative Council]]
* [[Kelly Rees]] – NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Respected silk joins Supreme Court of NSW bench |url=https://www.thelawyermag.com/au/news/general/respected-silk-joins-supreme-court-of-nsw-bench/205388 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=thelawyermag.com |language=en}}</ref>
** [[Jenny Mikakos]], Member for the [[Northern Metropolitan Region]]
* [[Reginald Barrett]] – NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lawyer |first1=The New |last2=Reporter |date=2013-03-04 |title=Mallesons partner appointed to NSW Supreme Court |url=https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/wig-chamber/12010-mallesons-partner-appointed-to-nsw-supreme-court |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=lawyersweekly.com.au |language=en-gb}}</ref>
** [[David O'Brien (politician)|David O'Brien]], Member for the [[Western Victoria Region]]
* [[Richard Weeks White]] – NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2017-03-03 |title=Julie & Julia lead parade for business in Supreme Court: Hearsay |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/julie--julia-lead-parade-for-business-in-supreme-court-hearsay-20170303-guqa5d |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Trish Henry]] – NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=KWM senior partner joins NSW Supreme Court bench |url=https://www.thelawyermag.com/au/news/general/kwm-senior-partner-joins-nsw-supreme-court-bench/206139 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=thelawyermag.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Ian Pike - NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two Senior Counsel to join the Supreme Court in 2024 |url=https://inbrief.nswbar.asn.au/posts/9e292ee2fc90581f795ff1df011fede5/attachment/231213%20MR_DALEY%20-%20Supreme%20Court%20appointments%20Ian%20Pike%20SC%20and%20James%20Hmelnitsky%20SC.pdf |website=New South Wales Government}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ian Pike SC {{!}} Eleven Wentworth |url=https://elevenwentworth.com/portfolio/ian-pike-sc/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Anthony McGrath - NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clerk |first=Barristers |date=2023-07-05 |title=Alinea Chambers warmly congratulates Anthony McGrath SC on his appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales |url=https://www.alineachambers.com.au/alinea-chambers-warmly-congratulates-anthony-mcgrath-sc-on-his-appointment-as-a-judge-of-the-supreme-court-of-new-south-wales/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Alinea Chambers |language=en-US}}</ref>
* David Davies - NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointments |url=https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/NSWBarAssocNews/2009/69.pdf |website=NSW Bar Association News}}</ref>
* Robertson Wright - NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointments |url=https://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/NSWBarAssocNews/2014/43.pdf |website=NSW Bar Association News}}</ref>
* Tim Faulkner, NSW Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Experienced barrister Tim Faulkner SC appointed to NSW Supreme Court |url=https://supremecourt.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/dcj/ctsd/supreme-court/documents/media/240501_-_MR_-_Daley_-_Supreme_Court_appointment_-_FINAL.pdf |website=Supreme Court of NSW}}</ref>
* [[Patricia Bergin]] – former NSW Supreme Court Chief Judge in Equity<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-12 |title=The Bergin style: 'courteous but firm' |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/games-and-wagering/the-bergin-style-courteous-but-firm-20210211-p571eb |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
* Frances Williams - Queensland Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Honourable Justice Frances Williams |url=https://www.sclqld.org.au/collections/explore-the-law/judicial-profiles/williams-198240 |website=Supreme Court of Queensland Library}}</ref>
* Patricia Matthews - Victorian Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Appointments To The Supreme And County Courts {{!}} Premier of Victoria |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-appointments-supreme-and-county-courts |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=www.premier.vic.gov.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
* [[Joanne Cameron]] – former Victorian Supreme Court Judge<ref name="vic-sup-court-cameron">{{cite web |title=Past judges and associate judges |url=https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/about-the-court/our-judiciary/past-judges-and-associate-judges |access-date=24 January 2021 |website=supremecourt.vic.gov.au |publisher=The Supreme Court of Victoria}}</ref>
* Michael Lundberg - WA Supreme Court judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swearing-in the first Aboriginal Supreme Court Judge and meeting the WA Health Translation Network |url=https://govhouse.wa.gov.au/2022/11/lundberg-wahtn/ |website=Government House Western Australia}}</ref>
* [[Larissa Strk]] – WA Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Principal Registrar Strk named a Supreme Court judge |url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2021/06/Principal-Registrar-Strk-named-a-Supreme-Court-judge.aspx |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302131641/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2021/06/Principal-Registrar-Strk-named-a-Supreme-Court-judge.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Michael Corboy]] – WA Supreme Court Judge<ref>{{Cite web |title=New judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia |url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Barnett/2010/02/New-judge-of-the-Supreme-Court-of-Western-Australia.aspx |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929081935/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Barnett/2010/02/New-judge-of-the-Supreme-Court-of-Western-Australia.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==See also==
===Community and public service===
{{portal|Australia|Companies}}
*[[Gillian Triggs]], President of the [[Australian Human Rights Commission]]
* [[List of oldest companies in Australia]]
*Belinda Gibson, Deputy Chairman of the [[Australian Securities and Investments Commission]]
*[[Cheryl Bart]], [[ABC Board|Board member]] of the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]
*[[Christopher Roper (legal educator)|Christopher Roper]], Director of the [[St James' Church, Sydney|St James' Institute]]
*Larry Kwok, Chairman of Hong Kong's [[Independent Police Complaints Council]]


===Business===
==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[[Jack Rodman]], Shanghai-based property advisor and consultant
*[[David Coe (businessman)|David Coe]], Founder of [[Allco Finance Group]]
*[[Piers Linney]], CEO of [[Outsourcery]]


===Academia===
==Further reading==
* {{cite news |last1=Doraisamy |first1=Jerome |title=Which BigLaw firms are most favoured worldwide?: Thomson Reuters Acritas released its 11th annual Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index |url=https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/30521-which-biglaw-firms-are-most-favoured-worldwide |access-date=9 May 2021 |work=Lawyers Weekly |date=27 January 2021 |postscript=: |language=en-gb}} {{block indent|1= <small> "Other global firms with an Australian presence that made the top 20 were: Allen & Overy and Norton Rose Fulbright (equal seventh), Jones Day (equal ninth), King & Wood Mallesons (11th), Herbert Smith Freehills (12th) and White & Case (13th)"</small> }}
*[[Joellen Riley]], Dean of [[Sydney Law School]]
* {{cite news |author1=XIE, Chuan Jiao |title=The firm |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bw/2008-03/10/content_6521062.htm |access-date=9 May 2021 |work=China Daily.com.cn |issue=Business Weekly |date=10 March 2008 |page=6}} (Article on King & Wood)
*John Humphrey, Dean of [[Queensland University of Technology]]'s Faculty of Law
*[[Ian Ramsay]], Harold Ford Professor of Commercial Law at [[Melbourne Law School]]
*Rosamund Grady, CEO of the Centre for International Finance and Regulation at the [[University of New South Wales]]
*Caron Beaton-Wells, Director of the Competition Law & Economics Network at Melbourne Law School
*[[Margaret Somerville]], Samuel Gale Chair in Law at [[McGill University]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website}}
*[http://www.kwm.com King & Wood Mallesons website]
{{Legal services in the United Kingdom}}
*[http://www.chinalawinsight.com/ China Law Insight blog]
{{Big Six Australian law firms}}
*[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bw/2008-03/10/content_6521062.htm "The firm"], 2002 ''[[China Daily]]'' article on King & Wood
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 18:49, 15 December 2024

King & Wood Mallesons
No. of offices26
No. of employees3,000+ lawyers
Major practice areasCommercial Law
Key people
Date founded2012 (by merger)
Company typeSwiss Verein structure
Websitewww.kwm.com Edit this at Wikidata

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is an international commercial law firm based in Asia-Pacific.[1] It is the largest international law firm in Asia-Pacific.[2] It has 26 offices and more than 3,000 legal professionals across Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the United States.[3]

Prior to KWM's current structure, its predecessor firms included SJ Berwin of the United Kingdom's "Silver Circle", Mallesons Stephen Jaques, one of the "Big Six" Australian law firms, and King & Wood, one of China's "Red Circle" law firms.

History

[edit]
Gloucester Tower, KWM's Hong Kong office

Predecessor firm history

[edit]

Mallesons Stephen Jaques

[edit]
Governor Phillip Tower in Sydney, KWM's Australian headquarters

Mallesons Stephen Jaques was an Australian law firm which originated in 1832[4] and was one of the "Big Six" law firms in Australia.

'Mallesons' derives from the name of the predecessor firm's founding partner; Alfred Brooks Malleson. Malleson was born at Richmond Hill, on the Surrey side of the Thames in 1831. As a 25-year-old London solicitor he immigrated to Melbourne in 1856. Malleson's obituary in The Argus in 1892 recorded that his expertise was especially "in company law and in the banking business. Several of the associated banks entrusted their legal affairs to the firm, as well as a large number of leading insurance and other companies, so that Mr Malleson had always as much as he could do". In 1858, the firm (then called "Muttlebury Malleson and Coster") handled the legal work to establish The National Bank of Australasia, which remains one of the firm's key clients as the present-day National Australia Bank.

The "Stephen" part of the firm's former name comes from Sydney founder Montague Stephen. He was the second son of Sir Alfred Stephen, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales from 1844 to 1873. Montague Stephen founded a Sydney practice in 1849. One of his earliest (1853) clients was the "Australian Mutual Provident Society" (AMP Limited) which remains one of the modern firm's key clients.[5] The "Jaques" part of the firm's name comes from a second "Alfred" – Alfred Jaques. He became a partner of the Sydney firm in 1878. In 1888 the firm's name changed to Stephen Jaques & Stephen – a name which continued until the 1980s.[5]

In 1976, Stephen Jaques & Stephen established its London office. In 1982, it merged with Stone James of Perth. The merged firm was called "Stephen Jaques Stone James". Stone James had been established in 1832 by Alfred Stone, Western Australia's first solicitor.[5] The merger reflected a growing importance of Western Australian primary industries as clients to the firm.

In 1987, Stephen Jaques Stone James merged with Mallesons. The firm was renamed "Mallesons Stephen Jaques".[6] The 1987 merger was driven by an assessment that Sydney and Melbourne had become one legal market. The merger enabled the firm to look after clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra. In 1989, the firm opened an office in Brisbane. The firm opened a Hong Kong office in 1989, and a Beijing office in 1993. It established an alliance with Posman Kua Aisi Lawyers of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in 1995. In 2004 the firm strengthened its Beijing resources by taking on lawyers and support staff from Denton Wilde Sapte. Later that year Mallesons merged with the Hong Kong and Shanghai corporate boutique Kwok & Yih.[7]

King & Wood PRC Lawyers

[edit]

King & Wood was among the first law firms established in the People's Republic of China during the modern era. In April, 1993, King & Wood's founding partners were still working with a state-sponsored organization, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, when the central government permitted private ownership of law firms, allowing them to create the firm.[citation needed]

The firm's clients included Citigroup, China Life, Walmart, PetroChina, Bank of China, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games of the 2008 Summer Olympics.[8] Prior to merging with Mallesons Stephen Jacques, King & Wood was aligned with Australian law firm Gilbert + Tobin.[9][10]

SJ Berwin

[edit]

SJ Berwin was founded by lawyer Stanley J. Berwin 1982.[11] From 1992 the firm underwent a strategy of European expansion. In 2009 the firm opened three offices in Hong Kong, Dubai and Shanghai respectively.[12][13][14]

Merger

[edit]

King & Wood Mallesons formed on 1 March 2012 as a combination of Chinese firm King & Wood PRC Lawyers and Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques, following votes in November 2011.[15][16]

In 2013 a merger was announced between King & Wood Mallesons and the UK Silver Circle firm SJ Berwin.[17]

The firm used a Swiss Verein structure, and had four financially independent partnerships: Australia; Europe and the Middle East; Hong Kong; and Mainland China, Japan and the United States.[18]

Demise of KWM Europe

[edit]

In 2016 a substantial number of important partners at KWM Europe left the firm, and attempts to find merger partners failed. It was subsequently announced the firm was being advised by external administrators.[19]

In November 2016 a memorandum was circulated to European partners of KWM outlining terms of a potential 'bail out' under which they would have to commit to a 12 month lock-in period, and provide capital to the firm. Additional capital would be provided by the Chinese arm of the business. This deal failed to win approval, and by the end of November KWM announced it would disband its European partnership.[20] The law firms of Goodwin Procter and Covington & Burling were in discussions to hire key partners from KWM Europe.[21] In January 2017, the European arm became subject to administration and ceased operations. The Australian, Chinese, and Hong Kong portions of KWM, which are financially and legally separate, were otherwise unaffected.[21][22]

Following the insolvency of KWM Europe, the remaining Asia-Pacific side of the firm established a new business to maintain a strategic presence in the UK, Europe & the Middle East to service the needs of its global clients. KWM at that time established core practices in London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Brussels and Dubai. New companies of the KWM network were established in the UK (KWM Europe LLP) and Germany (KWM Europe Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH). The new European platform focused on Corporate M&A, Finance, Competition and Dispute Resolution and had more than 30 partners, together with associates and support staff.[23][24]

In 2023, KWM China announced that it would, subject to regulatory requirements, cease to operate in the UK, Europe and the Middle East by 31 October 2024, as part of a cooperation agreement reached with Eversheds Sutherland (International).[25]

Operations

[edit]

Finances

[edit]

In 2012–13, the firm's total global revenue was US$1 billion,[26] with revenue per lawyer of US$453,000 in China,[27] and profit per equity partner of AU$1.08 million in Australia[28][29] and £610,000 in Europe.[30]

Pro bono

[edit]

King & Wood Mallesons has a community impact practice which supports the community through pro bono legal services, community services, and philanthropy.[31]

In 2021, more than 91% of the firm's Australian lawyers took part in pro bono work, contributing over 54,000 pro bono hours.[32]: 5 

The firm is a long-time partner of Youth Law Australia, a community legal centre that provides free legal services to children and young people across Australia.[33] The firm provides a full-time solicitor on secondment to Youth Law Australia and the firm's solicitors also volunteer as part of the Cyber Volunteer Program.[33] Other organisations supported by the firm's pro bono services include: homeless law clinics, refugee legal clinics, and the Arts Law Centre.[32] TalkLaw is the firm's community legal education initiative which educates disadvantaged high school students across Australia about legal topics relevant to young people.[34] The KWM School of Opportunity provides disadvantaged young people with a work placement and skills development program.

Notable cases and transactions

[edit]

Australia

[edit]
  • Advised on the merger of Glencore and Xstrata.[35]
  • Advised Square Inc (now Block Inc) on its A$39 billion acquisition of Afterpay Ltd,[36] the largest M&A deal in Australian history.[37]
  • Advised Lygon on the creation of the world's first digital bank guarantee using blockchain technology.[37]
  • Advised Woolworths on its A$400 million green loan, the first supermarket in the world to issue certified green bonds.[38]
  • Advised Sydney Airport on its A$1.4 billion sustainability-linked loan, the first syndicated sustainability-linked loan in Australia and the largest in Asia-Pacific.[39]

China

[edit]

United Kingdom

[edit]
  • Advised Lion Capital LLP on a string of deals including on the acquisition of fashion chain AllSaints from Icelandic banks Kaupthing and Glitnir, and the £1.4 billion acquisition of French frozen food business Picard Surgelés.[45]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

Awards and recognition include:

  • Law Firm of the Year, Australasian Law Awards (2022, 2023)[46][47]
  • Australian Law Firm of the Year, Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards (2020, 2024)[48][49]
  • Chinese Law Firm of the Year, Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards (2020)[50]
  • Regional Law Firm of the Year, IFLR Asia Awards (2020, 2021, 2023)[51][52][53]
  • Chambers Asia-Pacific Band 1 rankings across a record 21 practice areas[54]
  • Largest International Law Firm in Hong Kong, ALB Asia Top 50 Rankings (2021)[55]
  • Golden League Award, China Business Law Awards by Law.asia (2024) [56]

Criticism

[edit]

In 2018, WorkSafe Victoria launched an investigation into the firm, following complaints of overworked staff due to the high demands of working on the Banking Royal Commission.[57] Responses made by the firm to the investigation were reported by the AFR.[58]

In 2024, with regard to United States sanctions against China, King & Wood Mallesons advised its clients in China to not to release public statements that "could attract the suspicion of or trigger an investigation by US regulators".[59]

Notable alumni

[edit]

The following list includes notable people who have worked at King & Wood Mallesons.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Locations". King & Wood Mallesons. 21 July 2024.
  2. ^ "The 2023 Global 200: The Largest Firms in the Asia Pacific Ranked By Head Count". Law.com International. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  3. ^ "About Us". King & Wood Mallesons.
  4. ^ "History". kwm.com. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Weekly, Lawyers; Reporter (3 March 2012). "The making of a national firm: Mallesons Stephen Jaques". lawyersweekly.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  6. ^ Top law firms to merge Canberra Times 5 November 1986, page 17. Via Trove
  7. ^ Ferguson, Nick. "Mallesons to merge with ex-Andersen Legal firm | mallesons, merge, exandersen, legal, firm". FinanceAsia. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  8. ^ "King & Wood Mallesons – Beijing – Law Firm Profile – Chambers Global 2014 – Chambers and Partners". chambersandpartners.com. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Mallesons, China's King & Wood, plan alliance". The New Lawyer. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2011. Archived 14 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ "King & Wood Mallesons – True Picture", Chambers Student Guide 2012, chambersstudent.co.uk, retrieved 7 March 2015
  11. ^ "SJ Berwin to open in Hong Kong". IFLR. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  12. ^ Even, Erik (29 April 2009). "SJ Berwin, Expands Offices, Benjamin Aller, Foreign Offices | JDJournal". jdjournal.com. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  13. ^ "SJ Berwin launches new office in Shanghai". Law.com International. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Australian law firm votes for Chinese merger". Financial Times. November 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  15. ^ Taylor, Margaret (23 November 2011). "King & Wood and Mallesons plan for post-merger globalisation". The Lawyer. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  16. ^ King & Wood Mallesons and SJ Berwin Combine to Create first global law firm headquartered in Asia. 31 July 2013
  17. ^ Taylor, Margaret (28 February 2012). "King & Wood and Mallesons iron out confidentiality issues ahead of merger". The Lawyer. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  18. ^ Legal Business (2016) Crunch time for KWM as partners meet over Chinese bailout deal. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  19. ^ Kinder, Tabby (18 November 2016). "Exclusive: Dewey administration adviser drafted in on KWM rescue deal". The Lawyer. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  20. ^ a b Sullivan, Casey. "Big Law Firms Circle a Global Firm Under Stress". Bloomberg BNA. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  21. ^ Coade, Melissa (27 December 2016). "King & Wood Mallesons Europe arm severed". Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  22. ^ "KWM – King & Wood Mallesons' plans for UK, Europe and the Middle East". kwm.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  23. ^ "KWM – Deutschland". kwm-europe.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
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Further reading

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