Elizabeth Broomhall In Hong Kong

October 31, 2013 | International Edition

Dechert is looking to open in Shanghai and Singapore as part of a new pan-Asian growth strategy. The firm has obtained a licence to practise in Shanghai, with Basil Hwang, the US firm's managing partner in Hong Kong and founder of its Asia practice, now on the look out to bring in new partners to lead the offices before opening. Hwang said he wanted to bring in a partner with a pre-existing team to launch in the city: "Our approach to office opening has always been: can we find an individual around which to build an office, and is there a practice group within the firm that would take the lead in starting that office off?

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

October 31, 2013 | International Edition

DLA Piper's Australian chair and head of finance for Asia Tony Holland is leaving the firm to become a partner at domestic outfit Gilbert + Tobin. Holland, who took the role of chairman with the relocation of DLA's UK managing partner Andrew Darwin to Sydney in January this year, will join Gilbert + Tobin tomorrow and will be based in Melbourne.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

October 31, 2013 | International Edition

Hong Kong could introduce new laws relating to third party funding (TPF) for arbitrations, after appointing a sub-committee to review the existing rules on employing outside funders in private dispute proceedings. The city's Law Reform Commission (LRC) recently fielded a group of litigators and arbitrators, led by Hong Kong barrister Kim Rooney, to review the current position relating to TPF for arbitration and to make recommendations for reform if appropriate.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

October 31, 2013 | International Edition

Clyde & Co has become the first international law firm to launch an office in south west China after receiving approval from the Chinese authorities to form an association with local law firm West Link Partnership, based in Chongqing. The UK outfit, which currently has two offices on the mainland located in Beijing and Shanghai, has formed a joint law venture with the boutique firm which will be co-branded as Clyde & Co West Link.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

4 minute read

October 30, 2013 | International Edition

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and O'Melveny & Myers are advising on the US initial public offering (IPO) of China's version of Craigslist, 58.com. The online marketplace – which lists jobs, housing and used goods – is hoping to raise up to $165m (£102m) with the sale of 11 million shares each priced $13-$15 (£8-£9.30) on the New York Stock Exchange.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

October 30, 2013 | International Edition

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has made a second key hire from Allen & Overy in Asia this year with the appointment of the firm's head of international capital markets for the region and Philippines group leader James Grandolfo. The US outfit, which also recruited the magic circle firm's Tokyo managing partner and project finance expert Aled Davies in May, has recently been building up its partners in Asia following the departure of some key figures.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

October 29, 2013 | International Edition

Norton Rose Fulbright has appointed banking and finance partner Keith Sandilands as its new head of aviation for Asia. Sandilands will relocate from the firm's London office to Singapore this month to replace partner Leigh Borrello, who moved to Sydney in September to build the firm's Australian asset finance practice.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

October 29, 2013 | International Edition

Two Hong Kong lawyers who previously worked for magic circle firms are facing trial in the SAR after the High Court refused to strike out proceedings against them for their alleged involvement in insider dealing offences. Young Bik Fung, an ex-Slaughter and May lawyer, and her boyfriend Lee Kwok Wa, previously with Linklaters, have been the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in 2010 which claims they violated the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) after using confidential information to trade shares.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

October 25, 2013 | International Edition

King & Wood Mallesons senior partner Ronald Arculli has been appointed as chairman of Pacific Century Group (PCG)'s new insurance business, FWD Group. Arculli, whose practices at the Sino-Australian firm include litigation, finance and real estate, has not been appointed as general counsel at the company, but is expected to assist in the legal side of the business, particularly with compliance and regulatory issues.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

October 24, 2013 | International Edition

Baker & McKenzie, Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells are among a raft of firms to have won spots on China Resources' first international legal panel. The state-owned conglomerate has appointed about 10 firms to the panel, although it would not confirm the exact number. The panel is subdivided into practice areas that include M&A and litigation. Other successful firms include King & Wood Mallesons, Davis Polk & Wardwell and Reed Smith, along with the magic circle quartet of Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Slaughter and May. Between five and 10 firms have been allotted to each practice area, depending on demand.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

4 minute read