Venturing out

Indian law firms have not traditionally shared the globetrotting ambitions of their British and American counterparts. Spurred on by client demand and other strategic considerations, many are now establishing offices overseas. George W Russell reports

King Street, a short stretch in the historic city of London, is at the heart of the British capital’s legal district. The full spectrum of English justice, majestic or otherwise, is seen in the area: from the Royal Courts of Justice and Chancery Lane wigmakers to the myriad legal aid offices helping the indigent and overawed.

The surrounding “EC” postal zone is home to dozens of famous legal names. These include global firms such as Allen & Overy and Berwin Leighton Paisner; prestigious domestic names like Beachcroft and Goodman Derrick; the London outposts of US giants such as Dewey & Leboeuf and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; and foreign firms with international ambitions, like Australia’s Mallesons Stephen Jaques.

But one signboard in EC2 stands out from the rest. The firm isn’t English or American, Canadian or Australian. At 39 King Street, sharing space in Windsor House with a florist, an employment agency and a banking software provider, is the London office of FoxMandal Little.