Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will be welcoming the first wave of staff to its new office at 100 Bishopsgate from September.

The firm had been due to complete its move to 100 Bishopsgate in August 2020 but the move had been delayed due to the pandemic and various construction issues.

However, the firm is now moving ahead with its roadmap to welcome staff to its new London base. Two people with knowledge of the situation said that staff will return in two waves, with the first group moving in September and a second in December.

Two partners added that staff are currently in the process of moving their belongings out of the Fleet Street office. A partner who recently packed up his office said the move includes scanning and backing up all documents in a "paper-light exercise" as they prepare for digital storage systems at 100 Bishopsgate.

The firm are on track to be out of its Fleet Street home by "around Christmas", one partner said. He added that there will be a "red/blue team split" to organise the number of staff in the office at one time.

In June, Freshfields reopened its Fleet Street office to a small number of staff who may be finding it difficult to work from home or have client requirements, which formed part of the firm's "comprehensive road map" for getting its people back to some level of normality.

The partner also said the opening of its Silicon Valley base and recent mandate wins, coupled with the imminent London office return, feels like the firm is "marching forwards" with colleagues feeling optimistic after what has been a rocky period for the firm in the past year.

The firm is yet to announce its financial results for the 2019/20 financial year. Its Magic Circle rivals Allen & Overy, Linklaters and Clifford Chance reported their financials earlier in July, with CC leading the pack's revenue so far.

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