It was reported yesterday that KWM China has bid to acquire a significant slice of the legacy SJ Berwin business, including KWM’s offices in Dubai, Germany, Italy and Spain. Should the deal go through, the offices will continue to operate under a verein structure. However, an out-of-administration deal would enable KWM China to take on the offices without acquiring any of legacy SJ Berwin’s liabilities, including the enervating debt that has plagued KWM’s European business.

KWM heavyweight and Dubai office head Tim Taylor QC is reportedly leading negotiations with KWM China. It is understood that the Chinese partnership may also look to acquire a small number of London-based KWM corporate and M&A partners in order to maintain a presence in the city as it expands into Europe. Neither KWM China nor the firm’s EUME branch have as yet issued a public comment on the status of talks.

Sources: Legal Business; The Lawyer