Global firm Norton Rose Fulbright has absorbed Australian firm Henry Davis York, it was announced today. The combined firm will have offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth and will operate under the Norton Rose Fulbright name. 

Peter Martyr, Norton Rose’s global chief executive, said: ‘This has been a big year of growth for our firm, with the completion of combinations in Canada, the US and now Australia. These deals coincide with important strategic investments we are making through our 2020 business transformation strategy. The increased scale and depth we now have in Australia and Asia Pacific in general are helping to bring that strategy to life.’

Plans to combine with Henry Davis York were finalised earlier this year and followed an announcement that Norton Rose was to merge with US-based Chadbourne & Park and integratie new colleagues from Vancouver-based firm Bull Housser.

Henry Davis York was founded in 1893. Its clients include the big four banks, four of the five financial regulatory authorities, property developers and construction companies.

Wayne Spanner will continue as the firm’s managing partner in Australia while Michael Greene, formerly Henry Davis York’s managing partner, will become deputy managing partner.

Spanner said the combination would give the firm the necessary clout to succeed in the Australia and Asia Pacific market. ’Our new business will be able to offer clients the benefits of the increased scale and depth drawn from two highly compatible firms. Across Australia, our lawyers will have access to the market insights, expertise, global platform and modern IT infrastructure you would expect from a top tier firm in Australia, Asia Pacific and globally.’