The merger proposal was approved by an overwhelming majority of partners in both firms.  With offices in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, the new outfit would become the second largest global law firm in Australia and make the top five globally.

Combined strength

Henry Davis York consists of 45 partners, 71 special counsel or senior associates, and 63 lawyers. It focuses on the financial services, government, infrastructure, healthcare and university sectors. Norton Rose Fulbright has more than 600 lawyers in Australia, based in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth. In 2010, Norton Rose (they would not become Norton Rose Fulbright until Fulbright 2013) merged with Australian firm Deacons. The firm is continuously expanding in the global market, and the fusion with HDY would be its third merger in under a year, following tie-ups with Canada’s Bull Housser and US firm Chadbourne & Parke.

Increased scale

HDY and Norton Rose Fulbright joining forces is being viewed as a positive for both firms, as of clients would benefit from increased scale and depth of service. Norton Rose Fulbright Global Chief Executive Peter Martyr  commented: ‘There is a sense of real momentum in our global business right now. This combination will allow us to bring the benefits of this transformation to more clients.’ The respective firms will now work towards a formal combination launch date later this calendar year. Upon that launch, the combined firm will be known as Norton Rose Fulbright.