Freshfields looks to Northern shores: reports that magic circle firm is seeking a Manchester office
updated on 12 February 2015
The legal press, including Legal Business and the Law Society Gazette, have reported that Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is seeking a Manchester office as part of a 'near-shoring' strategy.
Currently the magic circle firm is based at its office on Fleet Street; the Law Society Gazette reports that initially back-office staff would move to Manchester, with the possibility of other departments joining at a later date. The strategy of ‘near-shoring’ – moving legal support work away from London to areas of the United Kingdom that offer lower costs for office space and wages – is becoming popular with law firms.
Support centres in Belfast have been opened by Allen & Overy, Herbert Smith Freehills and Baker & McKenzie, while Hogan Lovells published plans to open a new support office in Birmingham. Manchester already hosts Berwin Leighton Paisner and Nabarro, with Latham & Watkins due to open an office in the city within the next few months.
