The combination – which will operate under the K&L Gates name – represents a key strategic move from the US firm, adding Middleton’s 300 lawyers and four offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane to its global reach.

Aligning business

K&L Gates chairman and global managing partner Peter Kalis and Middletons national managing partner Nick Nicholas said in a joint statement: ‘By their resoundingly affirmative votes, our partners have boldly seized the future by aligning our business with the businesses of clients in an era of intense consolidation and globalisation. With the largest integrated network of law offices and law partners of any global law firm, our clients will be able seamlessly and efficiently to access top-notch legal resources around the corner and around the world.’
The move follows last summer’s tie-up between London-based global firm Herbert Smith and Australia’s Freehills.

Top 10 firm

Meanwhile partners from SNR Denton, Salans and Canada’s Fraser Milner Casgrain (FMC) have voted in favour of a triple merger, creating a top-10 global law firm by head count, according to Legal Week.
The firm, which will operate under the Dentons name, will be fully established in the first quarter of next year. It will be headed by SNR Denton's global chief executive Elliott Portnoy, with SNR Denton’s Joe Andrew sitting as global chairman and Salans' global board chairman Francois Chateau and FMC's national partnership board presiding member Bill Jenkins becoming global vice-chairmen.