Law.com - Freshfields Seals Saudi Ties With Local Firm

Law.com - Freshfields Seals Saudi Ties With Local Firm
This would appear to be taking a "best friends" relationship to a new level. Of course, without more details about the economic relationships involved in the joint management of the local firm, it is hard to tell whether the local firm remains truly independent of Freshfields or whether the local firm is now in an economic relationship that is the functional equivalent of a partnership relationship with Freshfields. In some jurisdictions, it would be necessary to examine the ethical issues associated with giving non-local attorneys significant control over the management of the local law firm on the theory that the local practice of law must be controlled by local lawyers. Unfortunately, the article does not shed much light on this aspect of the relationship.