Crowell & Moring is establishing a presence in Singapore through its policy and regulatory consulting affiliate, C&M International, as the firm looks to tap into the city-state's growing economic prominence.

Robert Holleyman, president and CEO of C&M International, said Singapore is becoming the go-to city for companies looking to expand their presence in Asia outside of China, and the consulting firm's clients—mostly U.S.-based businesses—have been establishing regional headquarters there.

"We need to have people on the ground to augment our capacities, to be closer to the business leaders in the country," Holleyman said.

So far, C&M International has only one person in Singapore—Clark Jennings, a former Obama administration official who has worked on international trade policy. But Holleyman, a former deputy U.S. trade representative whose portfolio included Asia, said more staffers will be added to the Singapore office.

He also noted that he and several others at C&M International's Washington office will be making multiple trips to Singapore this year, including when they attend the 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which will be hosted in neighboring Malaysia.

The forum, which is open to private stakeholders such as academics, companies and nongovernmental organizations as well as to governments, consists of 21 member economies—including Hong Kong and Taiwan—that work together on various business, economic, environmental and security issues.

"2020 was the right year for us to do this, and it's a busy year," Holleyman said.

The Singapore office will complement the work being done in C&M International's Shanghai office, which opened last year, Holleyman said. The Shanghai office has about 10 staffers there, he said.

The consultants at C&M International do not practice law, nor do they advise on legal matters, Holleyman stressed. Although C&M International is affiliated with Crowell & Moring, it does work with other law firms.

"Our view is we want to be trusted advisors who understand how these issues are evolving and work with our clients … and to help understand the evolving nature of the policy and regulatory frameworks," Holleyman said.

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