The six new general counsel who will oversee the six separate companies resulting from the breakup of Alibaba announced last month are expected to create a shake-up in the legal market in Asia, lawyers say.

With the introduction of a new set of general counsel and management leaders, existing favors will thin out and the playing field will somewhat equalize. And Alibaba’s move will put incumbent legal advisers and their relationships with the conglomerate’s key legal leaders to the test.