King & Wood Mallesons has confirmed it has established a new business to retain a ‘strategic presence’ in the UK, Europe and the Middle East following yesterday’s collapse of its European arm. 

The new business will focus on corporate M&A, finance, competition and dispute resolution.

More than 30 partners together with their associates and support staff will make up the business.

A KWM spokesperson told the Gazette that seven partners will remain in London.

They are: Andrei Yakolev, Darren Rosier, Dorothy Murray, Greg Stonefield, Joseph Newitt, Mike Wang and Vanessa Docherty.

It has not been confirmed where the new office will be.

Wang Junfeng, global chair of KWM, said: ‘I am proud and excited by the determination of our partners who have worked so hard with us to realise this practice in deeply challenging circumstances.

‘This is a very good outcome for international clients and for the continued development of our firm.’