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International Edition

Fox Mandal acquires New Delhi-based firm

Fox Mandal Little has acquired New Delhi-based practice Bhatia & Co, adding two new offices for the firm. In addition to Delhi, where Fox Mandal is already present, Bhatia has an office in Lucknow and an associate office in Allahabad. New partner Gaurav Bhatia said: "I am positive that my existing client base will benefit tremendously from the wide areas of practice given [Fox Mandal's] established excellent network."
1 minute read

International Edition

CC calls off tie-up with Australia's Mallesons

Clifford Chance (CC) and leading Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques have called off informal merger talks after months of discussions, it has emerged. The two firms, which previously talked about merging in 1999, entered into initial discussions earlier this year but have ended them recently as a result of the market downturn. The talks did not extend as far as the partnership as a whole and were confined only to partners involved in management. One CC staffer told Legal Week the discussions had been aborted because the magic circle firm wants to concentrate on its existing business in the current market conditions. However, it is thought that the two firms will continue to work closely together.
2 minute read

International Edition

Top 10 City quartet land Singapore licences

Four top 10 City firms have been awarded licences to practise local law in Singapore. Clifford Chance (CC), Allen & Overy (A&O), Herbert Smith and Norton Rose were among six firms awarded the licences earlier today (5 December), along with US firms Latham & Watkins and White & Case, after a process thought to have seen around 20 firms applying.The firms will have up to six months from 1 January to hire local lawyers and set up their Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP), with the licenses valid for an initial period of five years.The license means firms will be able to practice all areas of local law except domestic litigation, criminal, family and administrative law.
2 minute read

International Edition

Aussie leader set for Singapore office launch

Blake Dawson is set to open an office in Singapore, becoming the Australian firm's second Asian outfit alongside Shanghai. The office is expected to launch in January 2009. The firm's southeast Asian expansion is being driven by its hotel, tourism and gaming practice, and the Singapore office is intended mainly to service the firm's offshore clients.
1 minute read

International Edition

Stephenson Harwood associate dies in India crisis

Stephenson Harwood is mourning the loss of Singapore associate Lo Hwei Yen, who died during last week's terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Hwei Yen joined Stephenson Harwood's Singapore office in 2006 as a qualified solicitor and worked with the firm's shipping finance practice.The 28-year old, who graduated from the National University of Singapore, was in Mumbai to speak at a conference but was taken hostage in the city's Oberoi Hotel during the siege. Her body was discovered last week on the 19th floor of the hotel. Chief executive Sunil Ghadia has flown out to the firm's Singapore arm to offer support to staff.
2 minute read

International Edition

DLA Piper presses Asia partners to inject capital

DLA Piper's Asian arm is set to introduce measures requiring all partners to make capital contributions to the global giant. The move will bring the firm's Asian presence in line with DLA Piper International - including the UK - with all partners paying capital contributions increasing over a three-year period. To date, no partners in Asia - either fixed share or equity - have been required to make contributions, as under the existing structure all Asia partners benefit from a 'free in, free out' policy. The current plan is therefore unpopular with some - particularly as it will change partners' tax status.
2 minute read

International Edition

Simmons signs up new Asia projects chief

Simmons & Simmons has recruited a new Asia projects head with the hire of a partner from Australian firm Minter Ellison. Brian Downie, who joined Simmons' Hong Kong office earlier this month (13 November), has spent ten years in the region and advises on issues including acquisitions, divestments, projects development, environmental issues and dispute resolution.He said: "The strength of the team in this region and internationally was the key factor in my decision to join Simmons. They have a great client base and very highly regarded lawyers."Downie's move marks Simmons's second hire from Minter Ellison in Hong Kong this year, after partner Damien Bailey joined the firm's technology and telecoms group in April.
2 minute read

International Edition

Former Linklaters Tokyo chief joins MoFo in Japan

Morrison & Foerster has recruited Linklaters veteran Tony Grundy, six months after the capital markets partner retired from the magic circle firm's Tokyo office. Grundy launched Linklaters' Tokyo office in 1987 and was most recently managing partner of the office between 2000 and 2007.His practice focuses on international debt, equity and the adaptation of European products to the Japanese market. He has also advised on refinancings and restructurings.MoFo has one of the largest presences in Japan of any international firm, with over 30 partners. However, Grundy will be the first English law-qualified partner in the office.
2 minute read

International Edition

CC calls time on Singapore joint venture

Clifford Chance (CC) is set to end its Singapore joint venture (JV) in anticipation of the impending liberalisation of the country's legal market. The magic circle firm will terminate its alliance with Wong Partnership next spring (30 April). The upcoming liberalisation of the Singapore market will allow JVs to be transformed to 'enhanced JVs', a structure which enables further economic integration.
2 minute read

International Edition

Ashurst secures Hong Kong JV ahead of local launch

Ashurst has secured a local law association to bolster its upcoming Hong Kong launch. The firm has entered the agreement with Jackson Woo & Associates, led by corporate partner Jackson Woo - a former senior in-house banking lawyer. Along with Woo, the firm's other partner, Sabrina Fung, will also join the City firm as a partner. The pair will bring on three or four associates.
2 minute read

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