Clifford Chance is moving into the Australian market by merging with two boutique firms. Chang, Pistilli & Simmons and Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe will become Clifford Chance offices as of May 1. The firm says that this is not targeted at Australia so much as it is part of a broader plan for Asian expansion.
Chinese investments in Australia have rapidly grown, particularly in the energy and mineral markets, and the two local firms joining up with Clifford Chance are both corporate law boutiques. An investment into the Australian legal market is an indirect investment in the growth of Chinese foreign investments.
Clifford Chance is one of the UK’s “magic circle” of law fims. With approximately 3,200 legal advisers and 30 offices in 21 countries, it is one of the top ten global law firms measured by number of lawyers and by revenue.
