Deacons breaks link with US firm Graham & James

Australian firm Deacons Graham & James is splitting from its long-standing alli-ance partner, US practice Graham & James.

The announcement comes just months after Graham & James ended its UK alliance with Taylor Joynson Garrett.

As of 1 July the leading Australian firm will be known as Deacons, signalling the end of the 10-year association.

It will also be without a European or US arm. Instead, the firm will focus on its Asian and Australian operations.

In a statement to staff, Deacons chief executive partner Don Boyd says that the "amicable" end "has occurred because our strategies and vision for future development differ".

But Boyd hints that a merger with another firm may be an option. "We are considering a number of approaches from various organisations interested in building on our strengths in Asia," he says.

Graham & James has offices on the West Coast, New York and Washington.

In Asia Deacons will keep its offices in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei. It will also maintain its offices across Australia, including operations in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

Deacons Graham & James currently has 428 partners worldwide, although that number will drop significantly once the US association is finished.