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Herbert Smith Freehills to shutter Kuala Lumpur office
Eight months after winding down its presence in South Korea, global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills is closing its office in Malaysia’s capital.
Jerome Doraisamy
Herbert Smith Freehills had resolved to close its Kuala Lumpur office by the end of April 2024.
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The news follows the firm’s decision in February to shutter its office in Seoul, after a decade in the South Korean capital.
In a statement, HSF Asia managing partner Graeme Preston said: “We remain committed to our successful and longstanding relationships with Malaysian clients, but also recognise that their needs have changed dramatically since we opened in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.
“Those needs are now more regularly met from our other seven offices in south-east Asia, China and Japan, our three local law alliances, and the rest of our international network.”
In conversation with Lawyers Weekly, a firm spokesperson confirmed that this includes the firm’s team in Australia, which works closely with Asia.
HSF’s Australian offices, the spokesperson continued, “have a strong and longstanding connection” across the entire Asia-Pacific corridor.
Mr Preston went on: “We remain committed to our clients in Malaysia, as an important part of our plans for Asia to contribute 20 per cent of firm revenue by 2027, and will continue to support them with international legal expertise and insight.
“We thank all of our people in Kuala Lumpur for their contribution to the firm and will fully support them as closure plans progress.”
HSF has six offices across Australia and 24 globally, across the Asia-Pacific region, EMEA and North America.
