Elizabeth Broomhall In Hong Kong

December 04, 2013 | International Edition

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) Australian disputes head is set to leave the firm shortly after being appointed to co-ordinate the practice's post-merger integration. Sydney-based Beau Deleuil, who has been managing partner for the Australia disputes resolution practice since February 2012, is understood to be leaving for another outfit in the country, but no further details have been given. He was recently appointed as the global co-ordinator for the disputes practice to help integrate the firm following the tie up between KWM and SJ Berwin in the UK.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

December 03, 2013 | International Edition

Fox International Channels (FIC) has appointed Francis Chang as its new general counsel for Asia to help manage increased workflow stemming from the company's recent growth in the region. Chang, who has been named senior vice president for legal and business affairs and general counsel for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, joins the company this week from top Canadian firm Blake Cassels & Grayson, and will work alongside the current senior counsel for Asia, Stephen Lim.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

November 28, 2013 | International Edition

The number of female partner promotions at Australia's big six law firms has dropped by almost 40% in the last year despite an industry-wide push to boost gender diversity. Across the national partnerships of King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), Ashurst, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), Allens, Clayton Utz and Minter Ellison, just nine women made partner in 2013 out of a total of 35 internal promotions (26%), research by Legal Week has shown. This figure has dipped significantly since 2012, when more than 40% of all partner appointments – 24 out of 58 across the six outfits – were female.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

November 28, 2013 | International Edition

Minter Ellison's chief executive partner John Weber is to step down from his role as head of the firm as of June next year. Weber, who has been in the job for the last five years, will not be seeking re-appointment to the position when his term expires. The firm said in a statement that the board has engaged recruitment company Egon Zehnder to assist in the search for his replacement.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

November 27, 2013 | International Edition

Minter Ellison has boosted its Asia practice with the hire of two office managing partners from rival international firms. New York qualified corporate lawyer Jem Li was previously the managing partner for US firm Winston & Strawn in Beijing, whilst projects specialist Rebecca Silli was formerly the head of French firm Gide Loyrette Nouel's Hong Kong base.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

November 26, 2013 | International Edition

Singapore's Ministry of Law (MinLaw) has selected a 12-member steering committee to guide the development of its third law school. The school, to be located at the Singapore Institute of Management's SIM University, was approved earlier this year in response to a perceived shortage of lawyers in the region, particularly those specialising in family and criminal law.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

November 25, 2013 | International Edition

UK intellectual property firm Rouse has become the latest firm to launch an office in Myanmar with a team of two partners. The London-headquartered outfit has opened in the former capital city Yangon, and claims to be the first international IP firm with a presence on the ground.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

November 24, 2013 | International Edition

Mayer Brown JSM has made up five lawyers in Asia as part of 22-strong global promotions round this year. The US firm, which currently has eight offices in the region, promoted four solicitors in Hong Kong and one in Beijing working across disputes, corporate and bankruptcy, effective from 1 January 2014.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

November 24, 2013 | International Edition

Slaughter & May is acting opposite Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer on Swiss Re's US$493m acquisition of 4.9% stake in China's third biggest life insurance company. The deal, which closes today, is part of a wider initiative by Swiss Re to tap China's burgeoning life insurance market, which is thought to rank number five in the world.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

November 21, 2013 | International Edition

Former Freehills Singapore head John Dick has become the second partner to leave the firm's regional base since September. Dick, who specialises in South East Asian corporate energy and resources work, and who helped establish Freehills' Singapore office in 2000, is set to exit from the firm early December to establish a Singapore base for another international firm.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read