Most of our work has a cross-border element, so thinking globally has become second nature to us.
You’ll find Herbert Smith offices across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. This expansion is the result of our strong reputation in sectors particularly exposed to globalisation – for example, in the energy and financial institutions sectors. We have also established relationships with leading law firms in the world’s major financial and commercial centres, enabling us to provide a domestic and cross-border service to our clients.
Examples of our international strengths abound. We have, for instance, the top cross border India practice. Our global dispute resolution practice is seen as a world leader, as is our global energy practice. The investment banks view us as the unrivalled choice in Indonesia. Our teams in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing have led many of the multi-billion dollar international offerings that have propelled China’s former state-owned enterprises onto the world stage. And, with our Paris office leading the way, Herbert Smith now has one of the best francophone Africa practices.
This provides plenty of opportunities to work internationally, and we encourage everyone who joins Herbert Smith to spend time overseas at some stage of their career.
Given the predominance of English law in the commercial world, our network of offices share a number of the firm’s clients and frequently work together to advise them on multi-jurisdictional matters and regulatory issues.
In Europe, we have offices in London, Brussels, Moscow and Paris. Our Alliance with two of Western Europe’s leading law firms, Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe, is a major asset and is integral to our international capability. Gleiss Lutz has offices throughout Germany and in Brussels, Prague, Warsaw and an associated office in Budapest. Stibbe has offices in Amsterdam and Brussels as well as a Dutch law practice in New York and London. We work together across all our major practice areas and are in regular contact to exchange experiences, discuss opportunities and offer clients the benefit of our shared knowledge.
In Asia, in addition to our offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo, we have associated offices in Jakarta (Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung) and Saudi Arabia (Al-Ghazzawi Professional Association (GPA). We added to our presence in the Middle East by opening a Dubai office in 2007 and then an office in Abu Dhabi in May 2008.
Complementing this arrangement we have developed “best friend” relationships with leading law firms in the US including in New York with Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Paul Weiss and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. We work closely with these firms on international transactions with a significant US element and promote their capability to our clients, as they promote our strengths to their client base.