Global Shake-Up: San Francisco-based firm leads raids on 152-year-old practice

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe (Orrick) became the first firm to profit from the spoils of the break-up of the 152-year-old US-headquartered international practice Coudert Brothers.


The San Francisco-based firm, which dealt the beleaguered Coudert a major blow with a raid on its London, Moscow and Paris teams in May, has agreed a deal for the transfer of its China practice in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and a substantial portion of the Beijing practice.


It will scoop around 40 lawyers in China, taking six partners from Coudert's Hong Kong office, one in Shanghai and two in Beijing.


DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary confirmed it is in talks with Coudert's German and Belgian offices and there is much speculation about the future of the firm's other offices and lawyers.


US firm Winston & Strawn has snapped up partners in New York and San Francisco, and there is speculation that Baker & McKenzie will take the majority of Coudert's New York and Washington DC offices.


The future of the other offices around the world - ranging from London and Moscow, to Tokyo and Sydney - remains uncertain, while associated offices in Budapest, Jakarta, Mexico City, Milan, Prague, Rome and Stockholm remain independent and free to pursue whatever avenues they wish.


Coudert began with one office in downtown Manhattan and grew to have 28 offices in 18 countries. It was the first US law firm to establish a presence in Paris in 1879, London in 1960 and China in 1979.


Ralph Baxter, Orrick's chairman and chief executive, said: 'Orrick is privileged to continue Coudert's China legacy with this superb team of lawyers. The work these lawyers have accomplished in China is truly remarkable. They have an unparalleled reputation in China, and they bring an intimate knowledge of Chinese law, economics and culture.'


Coudert chairman Clyde Rankin said: 'The partners of Coudert have authorised the firm to enter into combinations of offices and practice groups with other firms to reflect the strength of the firm.'


He added: 'Our highest concern is the service of our clients, which is consistent with the way Coudert has operated for 152 years.'