Law Firm Simmons & Simmons will reduce it’s global presence by cutting of its two Portuguese offices, which go under the name Simmons & Simmons Rebelo de Sousa.
The Portuguese offices has 5 partners and 70 nearly 70 fee-earners. The offices will remain an alliance partner, but technically, will not be a part of the firm.
“Because of the size of the Portuguese economy, it’s difficult for Portugal to produce the major global clients,” said Mark Dawkins, Simmons’ managing partner. “Equally, our clients don’t tend to need legal services in Portugal.”
The Portuguese firm Rebelo de Sousa began the process of becoming part of the firm in 2001. The deal wasn’t finalized until 2007.
Managing partner Rebelo de Sousa said his ends main clients clashed with Simmon’s strategic focus on groups of key firmwide clients.
The split, however, is still subject to a partnership vote.
