Global law firm invests in city base

ONE of the world’s biggest law firms is to open a back office function in Manchester, after being lured by the city region’s strong talent pool.

Latham & Watkins, will create more than 20 jobs this year when it opens its business services office, which will support its expanding London base.

The new base will be an expansion of the firm’s existing global support services, many of which are currently provided from Los Angeles. The decision to open in Manchester follows a period of sustained growth for the firm, particularly in Europe where the firm employs over 550 fee earners, including 300 in London.

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.

Manchester’s inward investment agency MIDAS put the city forward as the most effective location for the new office.

Its chief adminstrative office 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.”

MIDAS chief executive Tim Newns added: “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.”