Member Article

Manchester talent pool attracts global law firm

Latham & Watkins, a law firm, has announced plans to open a new business services office in Manchester, citing the city’s highly qualified talent pool as an influencing factor.

The decision to open in Manchester follows a period of sustained global growth for the firm, particularly in Europe where the firm employs over 550 fee earners, including 300 in its London office.

The firm will build a small initial presence in its first year in Manchester with the majority of the roles being newly created, predominantly in finance and technology support.

MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, helped support the underlying business case as to why Manchester was the most effective business location to open this new office.

Chief Administrative Officer for Europe, Rod Harrington, said: “The opening of a business services office in Manchester is another key milestone in the further development of our global practice.

“This investment in our European infrastructure is a response to the growth of the firm outside the US, in particular in Europe.

“We are excited by the prospect of opening in Manchester.

“For a global business, the city has a large and highly qualified talent pool and offers ease of access to and from our offices in Europe and around the world.”

Chief executive of MIDAS Tim Newns, said “To attract a top five global law firm such as Latham & Watkins is a significant new milestone and a real fillip for the city’s reputation in what is a burgeoning professional services sector in Manchester.

“It continues to prove that Manchester has the talent, expertise and connectivity to attract the World’s top brands.

“The firm joins a large number of international companies in the financial and professional services sector in Manchester and again shows the complementarity between London and Manchester in this area, where leveraging both cities’ strengths can have significant benefits for global businesses.

“We look forward to continuing to support them as they build their presence in the city.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .