Giles George forms strategic alliance with leading UK, US defamation firms
Prominent Australian reputational risk law firm Giles George is entering into a strategic alliance with leading defamation practices from the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively: Schillings, which represented the Duchess of Sussex, and Clare Locke, which represented Dominion against Fox News.
In a joint statement, Giles George, Schillings, and Clare Locke unveiled a new strategic alliance, which will see the three firms join forces to give clients global access to their expertise in managing reputation, privacy, and security.
The alliance, while not a formal merger, will broaden the geographic reach of the respective firms’ leaders, offer global capabilities to clients, and enable effective “follow the sun” client service coverage, working together with best-in-class operators in key international hubs, the statement noted.
It is occurring against the backdrop, the firms explained, “in a world in which reputation is being increasingly weaponised”, with privacy threats, smear campaigns, and the spread of mis- and disinformation, requiring “ever-more sophisticated solutions”.
Speaking about the new strategic alliance, Giles George founders Rebekah Giles and Patrick George said: “We have always believed that the law is one part of a much bigger picture.
“Our clients increasingly demand a multidisciplinary approach to helping them navigate high-stakes threats and opportunities. By working in partnership with Schillings and Clare Locke, we are excited to offer our clients unparalleled international reach and a unique breadth of skills to meet their reputation, privacy, and security needs.”
Schillings chief executive David Imison added: “We are very proud to announce this partnership with Clare Locke and Giles George. When it comes to reputation, privacy and security, the stakes have never been higher. This new partnership will deliver an unrivalled set of global capabilities to our clients.”
Clare Locke co-founder Tom Clare noted: “Effectively safeguarding the reputation of prominent individuals and businesses has never been more complex, nor more far-reaching. Polarised politics and media create existential challenges for our clients.”
Fellow co-founder Libby Locke said: “Joining forces with Schillings and Giles George is the logical next step in Clare Locke’s ability to defend the rights and reputations of individuals and businesses wherever they are in the world.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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