Eversheds Sutherland’s merger with Singapore-based Harry Elias Partnership is now complete, one year after the firms began talks in early 2016. It is the first major international merger for the firm since Eversheds and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan combined on 1 February 2017.
Although the firms’ merger structure is permitted in Singapore, it must follow certain requirements, including having a Singapore qualified lawyer serve as managing partner. Additionally, Singapore lawyers must outnumber foreign lawyers by a 2:1 ratio, and Singapore lawyers must hold equity share by a two-thirds majority.