According to Legal Week’s survey of 30 UK and US law firms, 57 per cent said that at least one global practice head, department co-chair or deputy chair is based in Asia. The majority of the appointments had been made since 2010.
The research found that magic circle firms Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Clifford Chance, as well as Anglo-Australian firm Herbert Smith Freehills, each now have at least two international practice heads based permanently in the Asia-Pacific.

Global operations

Magic circle firms Linklaters and Allen & Overy and other UK heavyweights Norton Rose, Olswang, SJ Berwin, Stephenson Harwood, Berwin Leighton Paisner and RPC also boasted one or more global practice heads based in Asia.
Meanwhile, US firms Skadden, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and Reed Smith each have at least two practice heads in the region while Baker & McKenzie and Shearman & Sterling have one.