King & Wood Mallesons’ Chinese and Australian partnerships have agreed to formally separate. From March 31, 2026, they will operate respectively as King & Wood and Mallesons under independent brands. The Hong Kong partnership will operate as King & Wood. The decision reflects the evolution of both firms and their respective strategic priorities and future aspirations. 

The firm was formed in 2012 when Chinese firm King & Wood merged with Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques. 

Both firms confirm that all client work will continue on a business-as-usual basis and joint matters will not be affected. They will coordinate to ensure a smooth transition with no disruption to clients or impact to local leadership, governance and operations. The firms look forward to working together in the future on a non-exclusive basis. 

“This development reflects the different strategic horizons of our firms,” said Junfeng Wang, the firm’s global chair. “We thank the Australian firm for the years of teamwork and partnership. We sincerely appreciate the long-term support and trust shown by our clients. We will continue to put clients first while striving for excellence in everything we do. We remain committed to our international strategy and will continue to expand our geographic coverage through both organic growth and collaboration with other leading firms globally. King & Wood’s Hong Kong office, the largest law firm in Hong Kong by number of lawyers, will continue to take on a strategic role in this effort.” 

Renae Lattey, Renae Lattey, the firm’s chief executive partner for Australia said: “We thank the partners and colleagues of KWM China for their professionalism, collegiality and friendship over the past 14 years. Mallesons is a trusted and respected brand with nearly two centuries of legal excellence and 50 years of international experience and relationships. We will continue to build on this proud legacy as we become the only top tier independent firm operating from Australia with the flexibility to collaborate more broadly with global elite firms to meet the needs of our clients and our people here, across the region and around the globe.” 

The firm currently has 26 offices, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Tokyo, Singapore, Montreal and New York.