Dumped Slaughter and May on the lookout for Australian partners
27 July 2012
Slaughter and May, which was unceremoniously dumped by its Australian referral partner Allens in favour of an alliance with Linklaters, is eyeing up a list of potential Australian firms for new best friends arrangements.

Slaughters had enjoyed a long term relationship with Allens Arthur Robinson (as was), until this year when Linklaters came on the scene with its "integrated global alliance" and masterful branding. Not one to mope, the firm has dusted itself down and is aiming to forge special relationships with a clutch of firms. Currently on the list, according to a Lawyer report, are Clayton Utz, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Gilbert + Tobin and Minter Ellison.

Not always the case for Slaughter and May

So that's most of the top Australian firms yet to go through an international merger then. Big cheese partners Nigel Boardman and David Johnson have been put in charge of managing the process from London and will be making regular trips to Australia to build relationships with the quartet.

The enigmatic Magic Circle firm has been losing best friends right, left and centre. Its US referral partner Davis Polk has morphed into rather more of a competitor with its big London launch this year. And the firm's Chinese best friend, Jun He, has also extended its friendship to others including Macfarlanes. So fickle.