A British-based firm with particular expertise acting for financial institutions and insurance companies in maritime law and transport logistics, HFW first established a presence in Australia by opening an office in Melbourne in March 2006. An office in Sydney followed shortly after.

Speaking to Lawyers Weekly, HFW Melbourne partner Gavin Vallely said it was always in the long-term Australian strategy of the firm to open an office in Perth.

"We have had a substantial flow of work generating out of Perth in the offshore energy area, as well as acting for mining companies in the trade and logistics area," Vallely said. "In that sense, the opening of the office is very much driven by client demand."

Vallely said that the firm will have three partners and six to eight lawyers on the ground when the Perth office opens. He also confirmed that those lawyers will be mainly sourced from HFW's international offices, rather than relocating any of the firm's 10 Sydney or Melbourne partners.