Yesterday we asked our spies to respond to a call for information on the rife speculation that another major international law firm merger is in the offing. This precipitated a flood of anonymous emails, a great many of which directed us to Corrs Chambers Wesgarth.

a Corrs grad arrives for work

First this:

On the topic of mega-magic-mergers, Corrs CEO John Denton also sent an email last Friday similar to the Mallesons email (ie, “single but looking”). I guess us worker bees will find out when the AFR finds out…

Then this:

Corrs Chambers Wesgarth was relatively advanced in merger negotiations with Blake Dawson at a similar time to the first merger attempt between Mallesons and Clifford Chance in 2008. The talks were stalled by the global financial crisis. All over the office I am hearing talk that partners are considering a merger proposal from a major UK firm. I am not sure of the firm (although Ashursts has been mentioned), however it would seem likely that it would … be a silver circle firm, given that to my knowledge each of the magic circle firms has a referral programme in place with other Australian firms.

Followed by this:

Corrs’ John Denton was apparently furious on Friday that the article published by the Fin Review included comments from Beaton Consulting that it had been involved in advising clients on international merger talks. He wrote an email to all staff that declined to spell out whether the firm is in fact close to a merger, but it has gone some way to confirming that something is going to happen soon…

In last Friday’s article, the AFR made the following comments:

The managing partner of Corrs Chambers Wesgarth, John Denton, said interest from overseas firms in mergers had increased this year. “I have been approached about firm mergers domestically and internationally. It’s fair to say that in the last six months there’s been a heightened level of activity in this.”

Denton does not speculate on the reasons for the heightened level of merger-interest. The Firm Spy, however, has a theory - potential suitors have been on the Corrs graduate recruitment website (www.makingcareersense.com), and have watched the video entitled “What sort of law will I practice?”. The tasteful video, which contains cartoon images of identical (white) men and women (diversity employer, anyone?) in flamboyant orange business suits, gives a tantalising insight into working life at Corrs. After profiling the firm’s various practice groups, it concludes by hypothesising:

you never know, wine law might prove more to your taste.

Have you got a proven taste for something? Does your firm have a taste for an international merger?

Send the Firm Spy your news and views!

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