Legal Business

Myths and monsters – how KWM got swallowed by its own culture

Hearing that Legal Business was gearing up for an in-depth look at the collapse of the European arm of King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), a well-informed contact noted that this story could not be told without going back to the Stanley Berwin days. True, the old SJ Berwin had a maverick spirit that mesmerised its own partners but, having twice presided over lengthy pieces about the firm, I had no stomach to dwell once more on its legend.