The new Gowling WLG encompasses 622 partners and more than 1,400 staff across 18 cities in Canada, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. The £400m combination was first announced in July, with the launch now coming one month later than expected. However, it doesn't seem that there will be any foot-dragging for Gowling WLG as it eyes the next stage of its growth. The firm's head of international projects Quentin Poole has indicated that Gowling WLG will aim to lock in a new combination in either Germany or east Asia by 2018. 'There are one or two other places where we'd be opportunistic, so if a really good firm in one of the other jurisdictions then we would go for it, but the main focus for us at the moment is Germany and east Asia,' Mr Poole said.
Board unveiled
Gowling WLG has finally broken its silence as to who will set on the new firm's six-member international board. Wragges chief executive David Fennell will be co-CEO for Gowling WLG while Wragges chairman Andrew Witts will retain his position in the new firm. Also from Wragges is Jenny Hardy, who will continue in her position as strategic development director. On the Gowlings side, Peter Lukasiewicz will serve alongside Mr Fennell as co-chief while previous Gowlings managing partner James Buchan will pull up a seat as the firm's external managing partner. Former longtime Gowlings chairman and chief executive Scott Jolliffe will work with the firm's new litigation practice and fill the final spot on the board.
Sources: The Lawyer; Legal Business
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