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International Edition

A&O considers job cuts in Hong Kong review

Allen & Overy (A&O) is restructuring its Hong Kong office, with a number of lawyers at risk of redundancy. The firm is in discussions with staff about potential job cuts, but it is also considering options including short and long-term secondments to other offices. A&O refused to be drawn on how many positions are under threat but confirmed that it is reviewing the office in the wake of the departure of a seven-partner corporate team, including Asia corporate chief Michael Liu and China group head Kenneth Chan, to Latham & Watkins last year.
2 minute read

International Edition

Nixon recruits ex-Heller man to lead China operation

Nixon Peabody has hired a former Heller Ehrman partner to head up its China practice. Henry Liu, who formerly headed up Heller's China desk, will split his time between China and New York, overseeing the firm's China practice, which opened in Shanghai in 2007. Liu's background includes a spell in investment banking as well as well as a role as general counsel and director-general at the China Securities Regulatory Commission between 1995 and 2000.
1 minute read

International Edition

CC secures best friends alliance with Indian firm

Clifford Chance (CC) has formed a best friends relationship with Indian firm AZB, with the tie-up going live today (14 January). The two firms have agreed to refer work to each other on a non-exclusive basis, wherever possible, with the goal to intensify the relationship when local regulations permit them to do so.CC senior partner Stuart Popham told Legal Week: "We want to achieve an alliance to provide more efficient cross-border advice. AZB wants to offer clients access to the international network. They also want lawyers to be able to get international experience without leaving the firm."He added: "We would hope that as and when regulation allows, we could grow closer."
2 minute read

International Edition

Hill Dicks set for Asia with Singapore launch

Hill Dickinson is set to open an office in Singapore, gifting the northwest heavyweight its first presence in Asia. The office, which is due to open in March, will be headed by Hill Dickinson partner and Master Mariner Tony Goldsmith - who will relocate to the region. Goldsmith will be joined by London associate Andrew Lee, with two further fee earners set to be recruited from the local market.The office will focus on international marine work with a plan to develop other practice areas, such as corporate and commercial, in the future.
2 minute read

International Edition

Herbert Smith appoints duo to top Asia roles

Herbert Smith has overhauled its management structure in Asia with the creation of two new managing partner roles for China and South East Asia. Corporate partner Andrew Tortoishell, currently head of the Hong Hong office, takes up an expanded role as Greater China managing partner. He will have responsibility for overseeing Herbert Smith's strategy in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai, where the firm collectively has around 20 partners and 110 fee earners.
2 minute read

International Edition

Mayer Brown transfers corporate partner to HK arm

Mayer Brown has transferred a senior corporate partner from London to Hong Kong, the first such move by the Anglo-American firm since its 2007 acquisition of leading Hong Kong practice Johnson Stokes & Master. Corporate finance specialist Mark Uhrynuk will lead a new US corporate and securities practice, targeting Hong Kong and mainland China companies seeking to list abroad.Uhrynuk's practice covers cross-border M&A, private equity financings, joint ventures and strategic alliances.
2 minute read

International Edition

Stephenson Harwood seals DLA hire in Singapore

Stephenson Harwood has bolstered its Asian practice with the hire of insurance specialist Steven Dewhurst to the firm's Singapore office. Dewhurst joins the firm as a partner from DLA Piper in Hong Kong, where he was a partner for three years. Prior to that he was part of CMS Cameron McKenna's Hong Kong office.Dewhurst has worked in the Hong Kong insurance market for eight years, focusing on policy coverage, regulatory and compliance work. He also has litigation and dispute resolution experience.
2 minute read

International Edition

A&O appoints top two to lead firm's India group

Allen & Overy has appointed a new India chairman and created a new managing partner role for the region in the wake of the retirement of former chair Alex Pease. London-based projects and structured finance partner Jonathan Brayne has been named chairman of the group, while Hong Kong-based capital markets partner Andrew Harrow has taken on the new role of India managing partner.Brayne and Harrow both take up initial two-year terms.
2 minute read

International Edition

CC wins latest round of India tax dispute

The Bombay High Court has ruled that a foreign law firm may only be taxed in India on work performed in the country, supporting an appeal by Clifford Chance (CC). CC had previously been ordered by India's Commissioner of Income Tax to pay taxes on all of the fees - around $3m (£2.04m) - it earned on work performed on four energy infrastructure projects undertaken in India between 1996 and 1998.The top five London law firm primarily advised non-Indian participants on UK law aspects of the projects and much of the work was handled outside of India. CC challenged the assessment, arguing that only around $871,000 (£592,000) in fees actually billed in India should be taxable.
3 minute read

International Edition

Latham's former City head set to make HK switch

Latham & Watkins' former City head David Miles is to relocate to Hong Kong at the beginning of next year, as the firm moves to build up its Asia practice. Miles, a banking partner, led Latham's London office until early 2006 when he took up a post on the US law firm's executive committee. He was replaced by outsourcing partner Andrew Moyle as London head.Miles is one of seven partners on Latham's global executive and is the member responsible for the firm's strategy in Asia. Latham has around six partners and 30 lawyers in Hong Kong.
2 minute read

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