Elizabeth Broomhall In Hong Kong

December 12, 2013 | International Edition

Herbert Smith Freehills has taken steps to bolster its employment practice in Australia by adding three senior workplace lawyers to its partnership ranks. Michael Gonski, Sonia Millen and Drew Pearson, all of whom are based in Sydney, have been promoted with immediate effect and outside of the firm's annual promotions round, which happens mid-year.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 11, 2013 | International Edition

Bingham McCutchen has made up 10 lawyers as part of its annual promotions round, including one lawyer in Hong Kong. Asia corporate specialist Charles Rogers, who advises mainly on public and private cross-border deals, debt and equity investment, corporate finance and restructuring transactions, was the only lawyer to be made up outside of the US.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 11, 2013 | International Edition

The first group of international law firms to be awarded Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) licences in Singapore are being asked to reapply for their permits if they wish to continue practising local law in the city-state. The six firms – Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance (CC), Herbert Smith Freehills, Norton Rose Fulbright, Latham & Watkins and White & Case – are currently in talks with the country's Ministry of Law (MinLaw) to give details about their future growth plans – a process that is expected to be completed in the next two months.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

December 10, 2013 | International Edition

Dechert has added 11 lawyers to its partnership ranks in its latest promotions round, including two from London and one in Hong Kong. The Philadelphia-headquartered firm, which has 13 international offices, has also promoted six attorneys in the US, one in Paris and one in Almaty, Kazakhstan, all taking effect in January 2014.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 10, 2013 | International Edition

Ernst & Young in Singapore has hired former Herbert Smith Freehills partner John Dick as it looks to launch a legal services arm in the city. The 'big four' accounting firm currently has a global legal services offering specialising in areas such as corporate, banking and finance, real estate, employment and projects, but as yet does not offer legal services in Singapore.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 10, 2013 | International Edition

French law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel and Chinese outfit Commerce & Finance Law Offices have advised on Renault's entry into the Chinese market via a £1.3bn (CNY7.7bn) joint venture arrangement. The French carmaker, which is among a handful of large motor companies still without a presence in China, announced earlier this month that it had received approval from the Beijing authorities to tie up with state-owned Dongfeng Motor Corporation; one of biggest automobile manufacturers in the country.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 09, 2013 | International Edition

The chief executive partner of Australian firm Clayton Utz is to step down from the leadership role next year, to be replaced by litigation partner Robert Cutler. Darryl McDonough, who has held the position for four years, will remain a partner at the firm but return to practice in Brisbane, working on corporate and M&A transactions.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 09, 2013 | International Edition

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has appointed its Tokyo managing partner Peter Godwin as its new head of disputes in Asia. Godwin, who has been based in Tokyo for over a decade, replaces the firm's former Asia disputes head Gavin Lewis, who was appointed the role in 2011 but announced in August he was leaving firm to join Linklaters.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 08, 2013 | International Edition

US law firm Hunton & Williams has ramped up in Asia this month with the hire of two senior lawyers in disputes and tax. Litigation specialist Apichart Phankeasorn and tax expert Chinawat Assavapokee have joined the firm's 50-partner Bangkok base, its head office in Asia, with a view to growing both of these practices in the region.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 05, 2013 | International Edition

International law firms with offices in China have broadly welcomed the country's latest attempts at economic reform, but remain sceptical about their immediate impact on the legal industry. The plans, which were recently approved at the four-day third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, set out a string of policy changes aimed at transforming China's economy.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

4 minute read