King & Wood Mallesons and international law firm SJ Berwin have announced their combination; the firms say the move is the next step in building a global law firm based in Asia. The combination gives the KWM network new strength in European and Middle East markets.

SJ Berwin will join the KWM network on November 1, 2013. At that time, SJ Berwin will change its name to King & Wood Mallesons, but will trade for a transitional period under the brand King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin in the UK, continental Europe and the Middle East. The KWM network will be one of the world’s 25 largest firms following the merger, with offices in China, Hong Kong, Australia, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and the US.

The King & Wood Mallesons network is a Swiss Verein currently consisting of three member firms: King & Wood Mallesons Hong Kong; King & Wood Mallesons Australia; and King & Wood Mallesons China.