Spencer West, which was founded in 2014 by London-based lawyers Simeon Spencer and Antoine West, has entered the “vibrant” legal landscape in Australia.

Already operating in more than a dozen countries across Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas and Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East, the move Down Under marks a “significant milestone” in the firm’s global expansion, it declared in a statement.

The firm boasts over 300 partners globally and operates under a fee-sharing model.

Spencer West’s Australian operations will be spearheaded by partner Andrew Ailwood, who most recently served as a senior in-house lawyer at BBC. His practice will span media, technology, and corporate law.

The move marks the second UK-headquartered BigLaw firm to enter the Australian market in the past 12 months, following Taylor Rose’s entry in April 2023.

More broadly, it follows a trend of global firms with Australian presences looking to bolster their footholds Down Under. Clyde & Co told Lawyers Weekly, almost two years ago, that it sees Australia as key to its global success, with Australia generating the third-most fees of any country it operates in. In October 2022, Dentons Australian chair Doug Stipanicev said the firm wants to double its Australian revenue within five years, and Kennedys’ Australian head Jonathan Wyatt told Lawyers Weekly earlier this year that it wants to be a “growing force” in the nation’s insurance market.

Speaking about Spencer West’s expansion Down Under, Ailwood said: “The Australian media landscape is in an exciting phase, from the influx of global players to the increasingly international reach of Australian content.”

“I am eager to leverage my experience at home and abroad to empower Australian clients in unlocking new avenues of growth and success.”

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West, who is the firm’s managing partner, added: “Australia, with a legal landscape known for its dynamism and innovation, presents immense opportunities for legal professionals and businesses alike.”

“With our partner-led practices and seamless international network, we are now poised to deliver the expertise we are known for to clients in the Pacific region.”