Elizabeth Broomhall In Hong Kong

February 16, 2014 | International Edition

Debevoise's European and Asian litigation practice head, Lord Peter Goldsmith QC, has been appointed vice chair of Hong Kong's arbitration body in an overhaul of its management structure. Lord Goldsmith, the UK Government's former Attorney General, will also sit alongside co-vice chair John Budge from Wilkinson & Grist and four other lawyers from international firms on a newly-created executive committee.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

February 13, 2014 | International Edition

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is preparing to end top-up payments for partners in its Hong Kong office as it looks to unify remuneration for members of its legacy firms. According to merger terms agreed as part of the March 2012 China-Australia tie-up, equity partners in the Hong Kong verein have their individual profit shares boosted by their former partnerships. This means legacy partners in Hong Kong do not take home less than colleagues in Australia or mainland China. The top-ups are in line with an agreement struck by Mallesons Stephen Jacques partners in Hong Kong guaranteeing that there would be no disparity in profits between them and peers in Australia for five years, with a similar deal understood to have been struck by legacy King & Wood partners.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

February 11, 2014 | International Edition

Paul Hastings has given two Greater China partners additional leadership responsibilities as its Hong Kong and Beijing office chairs prepare to relocate to the US. Corporate partner Sammy Li has taken over from Derek Roth to manage the Hong Kong office, whilst David Wang, the firm's Shanghai head, will now manage both mainland China bases.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

February 11, 2014 | International Edition

Hogan Lovells is looking to grow its Asia revenue by 10% in the next year by building out partners in China, South East Asia and Japan. The transatlantic firm, which currently generates more than 90% of its business in the US and Europe, will also make a decision about whether or not to launch in Australia.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

4 minute read

February 11, 2014 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard is set to apply for a licence to practice in Beijing after making its debut in Hong Kong last August. The UK firm, which in the last 18 months has prioritised international expansion, wants to open in the Chinese capital to support its offering in Hong Kong and tap the PRC market for outbound and disputes work.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

February 11, 2014 | International Edition

Jones Day has appointed its first ever Asia managing partner, with the re-hire of former disputes lawyer and the US' first ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), David Carden. Carden, who will be based with the firm in Singapore, previously co-led the securities litigation and SEC enforcement practice in New York before starting his ambassadorship in March 2011.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

February 09, 2014 | International Edition

Singapore outfit Drew & Napier has hired Reed Smith's former Dubai office managing partner Lee Chau Ee to lead its construction and engineering practice. He replaces the firm's previous construction head Liam Beng Tan, who left at the end of 2013. Lee, who worked for Drew & Napier between 1995 until 2000 as an associate, departed from US firm Reed Smith in November 2013 to return to his home base.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

February 07, 2014 | International Edition

Stephenson Harwood has hired DLA Piper's Seoul office head Michael Kim with a view to opening in South Korea. Kim, who specialises in shipping, ship finance, shipbuilding, offshore and general commercial litigation and arbitration matters, has a strong reputation in the Korean market having previously led DLA's practice there.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

February 07, 2014 | International Edition

The Associated Press (AP) has promoted Karen Kaiser to head its legal function as part of a US management restructuring initiative. Kaiser, who joined AP as assistant general counsel in 2009 and was made associate general counsel in 2011, now has the title of senior vice president, general counsel and company secretary, and continues to be based in the company's headquarters in New York.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

February 06, 2014 | International Edition

Minter Ellison has hired two senior IP litigators and their teams from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) in Australia. Wayne McMaster was previously head of KWM's national IP and health & pharmaceuticals practice, whilst Robert Cooper worked alongside him on patent disputes and trademarks.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read