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International Edition

Eversheds to run Shanghai base with no partners

Eversheds will run its Shanghai office without any partners following the departure of its two most senior lawyers. The firm's senior partner in the office, Jean-Marc Deschandol has already left the firm, while Iris Duchetsmann, the firm's current head of employment for Asia, will depart at the end of this month.
3 minute read

International Edition

Sidley Austin to move into larger Singapore base as others downsize

Sidley Austin is to move into its new larger Singapore premises as a handful of other firms in the city-state are downsizing. The US firm, which told Legal Week in August it planned to triple the size of its Singapore base from 12 to 50 lawyers in the next three years, will move into new premises on Level 31, Six Battery Road before Christmas, with a recently expanded team of 20 lawyers, eight of whom are partners.
4 minute read

International Edition

Bingham makes up 10 lawyers, one in Hong Kong

Bingham McCutchen has made up 10 lawyers as part of its annual promotions round, including one lawyer in Hong Kong. Asia corporate specialist Charles Rogers, who advises mainly on public and private cross-border deals, debt and equity investment, corporate finance and restructuring transactions, was the only lawyer to be made up outside of the US.
2 minute read

International Edition

A&O, CC among firms asked to reapply for Singapore local law licences

The first group of international law firms to be awarded Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) licences in Singapore are being asked to reapply for their permits if they wish to continue practising local law in the city-state. The six firms – Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance (CC), Herbert Smith Freehills, Norton Rose Fulbright, Latham & Watkins and White & Case – are currently in talks with the country's Ministry of Law (MinLaw) to give details about their future growth plans – a process that is expected to be completed in the next two months.
3 minute read

International Edition

Ernst & Young hires HSF partner in Singapore

Ernst & Young in Singapore has hired former Herbert Smith Freehills partner John Dick as it looks to launch a legal services arm in the city. The 'big four' accounting firm currently has a global legal services offering specialising in areas such as corporate, banking and finance, real estate, employment and projects, but as yet does not offer legal services in Singapore.
2 minute read

International Edition

Clayton Utz chief to step down after four year term

The chief executive partner of Australian firm Clayton Utz is to step down from the leadership role next year, to be replaced by litigation partner Robert Cutler. Darryl McDonough, who has held the position for four years, will remain a partner at the firm but return to practice in Brisbane, working on corporate and M&A transactions.
2 minute read

International Edition

HSF appoints Tokyo managing partner as new Asia disputes head

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has appointed its Tokyo managing partner Peter Godwin as its new head of disputes in Asia. Godwin, who has been based in Tokyo for over a decade, replaces the firm's former Asia disputes head Gavin Lewis, who was appointed the role in 2011 but announced in August he was leaving firm to join Linklaters.
2 minute read

International Edition

Hunton & Williams ramps up in Asia with two senior hires

US law firm Hunton & Williams has ramped up in Asia this month with the hire of two senior lawyers in disputes and tax. Litigation specialist Apichart Phankeasorn and tax expert Chinawat Assavapokee have joined the firm's 50-partner Bangkok base, its head office in Asia, with a view to growing both of these practices in the region.
2 minute read

International Edition

Western firms sceptical about short-term impact of China's latest economic reform

International law firms with offices in China have broadly welcomed the country's latest attempts at economic reform, but remain sceptical about their immediate impact on the legal industry. The plans, which were recently approved at the four-day third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, set out a string of policy changes aimed at transforming China's economy.
4 minute read

International Edition

Ashurst's post-merger ructions throw spotlight on its corporate and private equity practices

In the wake of an international merger and a change in senior management, it would be surprising not to find a seam of discontent in a firm's partnership. And as such Ashurst's merger with Australia's Blakes and the subsequent failure of senior partner Charlie Geffen to win the chairmanship has certainly set the rumour mills into gear. The Blakes tie-up finally went live at the beginning of last month. It was a process that nobody could accuse Ashurst of rushing: discussions with the Australian firm first became public in June 2011, with the deal signed in September that year.
5 minute read

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