Fox International Channels to review legal advisers in Asia
Fox International Channels, a subsidiary of American media giant 21st Century Fox, is putting together an informal panel of law firms for Asia.
May 08, 2014 at 11:45 PM
3 minute read
Fox International Channels, a subsidiary of American media giant 21st Century Fox, is to review its list of legal advisers in Asia.
The broadcaster, whose business in the region spans the Middle East and Asia Pacific, is looking to create an informal panel of external counsel following the hire of a new regional legal chief, Francis Chang, last December.
The preferred supplier list is expected to include approximately 12-14 law firms, some of which will be used for country-specific matters and others that will be relied upon for their practice specialism.
Fox typically uses outside firms for work related to intellectual property, employment, media regulation, litigation, antitrust and data privacy, but is also now looking to outside counsel for advice on FCPA and compliance.
Firms used in the past include magic circle firm Allen & Overy, Bird & Bird and US outfit Baker & McKenzie.
"We're looking at engaging with a number of different firms to see what the different capabilities are… I want to consolidate the use of firms," said Chang.
"We don't want a structure that is too formalised, but I do want to know before any firm is engaged what are the rates and what are the terms.
"We'll look to our counterparts in Europe and Latin America to get their experience dealing with particular firms and the extent to which there has been an attractive fee structure available to them which might be available to us too.
"What I would be comfortable with is using one or two firms in each market that I can call on."
He added there will likely be a mix of UK, US and local firms engaged depending on the capabilities and type of work. For FCPA work, Chang suspects that US firms will be best placed.
"My personal preference is to get re-acquainted with the local firms with strong local expertise and contacts… [but there] will likely be a mix – there are international firms that do have very strong local offices.
"Also for some [cross regional] issues, for example data privacy, there are definitely some international firms which are much better placed to advise us, they are a one-stop shop or to the extent that they don't have an office they will have a relationship with one or two firms locally."
Fox International Channels (FIC) in Asia currently has a team of 11 lawyers and three paralegals located across Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tapei and Delhi, overseeing the company's legal affairs in 14 countries.
It currently distributes 45 branded channels including FOX, STAR and National Geographic, and has grown significantly in the last year after parent company News Corporation's acquisition of ESPN's partnership interest in Singapore-based ESPN Star Sports (ESS) in November 2012.
The company hired Chang in December to help manage the increased workflow stemming from recent growth, and is looking to add more lawyers in Hong Kong, the Middle East and South East Asia in line with continued expansion of the regional business.
Chang has previously worked for top Canadian firm Blake Cassels & Graydon, STAR TV and Walt Disney Television International, and is based in Hong Kong.
Related: Fox International Channels appoints legal head for Asia and Middle East
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