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O’Melveny
O’Melveny boosts China practice with promotions Four Asia-based lawyers have been promoted in O’Melveny & Myers global 15-strong 2009 partnership overhaul. In Beijing, competition lawyer Nathan Bush and corporate transactions attorney David Roberts Nathan Bush have been promoted, while the Hong Kong office will be boosted with the promotions of Friven Yeoh, who advises on cross border dispute resolution, and corporate finance lawyer Peter Chen. The firm’s Asia practice head, Howard Chao, said the Friven Yeoh promotions were a reflection of the diversity of the China practice, which counted for almost 30% of the promotions. “We believe that China is one of the pivotal markets for international law firms, and we are determined to maintain our market leadership,” said Chao.
Morrison & Foerster
Ten new partners for MoFo; Tokyo still strong Morrison & Foerster has elected 10 lawyers to partnership across its global network, with only one of these being Asia-based. The sole Asia promotion is corporate transactions lawyer Ivan Smallwood in Tokyo. Smallwood specialises in M&A Ken Siegal and represented Citibank in one of the firm’s larger deals last year. Ken Siegal, managing partner of the Tokyo office, said that the ratio of Asia promotions was not under representative. “We have 10% of our partnership in Japan; it’s roughly proportionate to the US. We don’t view it as a larger strategy; the promotions are based on growth,” he said.
office has promoted capital markets lawyer Noriko Annen, who joined the firm in 2007, while in Bangkok the firm has elevated M&A lawyer John Cordova. Asia managing partner Peter Charlton said that the promotions will help to strengthen the firm against the market conditions. “In such dynamic times, it’s impossible to predict precisely what the year will hold,” said Charlton. “However, having the right people – such as these counsel who understand the region, our clients and their businesses – is essential if we are to stay ahead of changing trends as they happen.”
DLA Piper
DLA Piper: China-heavy partnership round Although equity contributions were on the agenda for management at DLA Piper last November, the firm has remained steadfast in its 2009 partnership revamp, with most of the Asia promotions being China based. Claudio d’Agostino In Asia, the firm has created seven new partnership positions – including a new legal director. Six of the seven promotions were based in mainland China, with a sole promotion in Japan. The Beijing office will see the addition of Sammy Fang, as legal director in the office’s litigation Kit Kwok and regulatory group, and Chris Terry, as part of the Greater China corporate group. In Hong Kong, dispute resolution lawyer William Leung and finance attorney Michael Yau will become partners, while Shanghai will count corporate transactions lawyers Claudio d’Agostino and Kit Kwok as partners. Outside of China, the firm has made Tokyo-based Hajime Iwaki a partner. “Asia remains vitally important to companies, which is why we are also deepening our investment, talent, and services here,” said Asia managing partner, Alastair Da Costa.
Clifford Chance reaffirms commitment in Asia While Clifford Chance has been feeling the pinch of the financial crisis (see p23), the firm has reaffirmed its commitment to the Asian region with the promotion of six new Asia-based counsel. The Magic Circle firm has promoted four lawyers in Dauwood Malik mainland China, and one each in Japan and Thailand. In the Hong Kong office, corporate transactions lawyers Dauwood Malik and Neeraj Budhwani were promoted to counsel, with Beijing advancing lawyers Chin Chuan Chen and Lachlan Jackson. The Tokyo www.legalbusinessonline.com
Heller Ehrman
Stephenson Harwood
Stephenson Harwood recruits DLA Piper insurance partner Stephenson Harwood’s Singapore office has received another major boost with the appointment of former DLA Piper partner Steven Dewhurst. Dewhurst arrives at the firm as a partner from DLA Piper’s Hong Stephen Dewhurst Kong office, where he had been advising on insurance and reinsurance matters. He has worked in the Hong Kong market for eight years. “We set up the corporate practice in Singapore just over one year ago and have been very successful in growing our corporate client base in the region,” said Martin Green, the firm’s Singapore managing partner. “Steven’s appointment … will attract a
Nixon Peabody
Latest Heller hire Nixon Peabody became the latest firm to build its Asia practice by picking up seasoned lawyers formerly with Heller Ehrman. Henry Liu, the former head of Heller Ehrman’s China desk in New York, Henry Liu has been appointed by the firm as the chair of China practice, to play a leadership role in its China and Asia practice. Liu, also a global finance partner, will split his time between Nixon’s New York and Shanghai offices, the firm’s first Asia office launched in early 2008.
KhattarWong
KhattarWong appoints new litigation head Singapore-based law firm KhattarWong has unveiled its new litigation and dispute resolution practice group head. Prominent Senior Counsel Deborah Barker will oversee the firm’s litigation group as demand for litigation advisory increases with the Deborah Barker financial crisis. The firm’s managing partner, Tan Chong Huat, said that Barker’s appointment was a clear-cut decision for the ambitious firm. “Deborah’s position as SC and her broad-ranging experience makes her a natural choice to steer the department through the challenging months ahead. I am confident she will lead the team ably and successfully,” he said. Barker has been with the firm since 1980, and has held the coveted Senior Counsel title, one of only 60 or so in Singapore, since being appointed in January 2001.
Actis DLA Piper
Clifford Chance
lot of business from the insurance and re-insurance clients who are flocking to Singapore.”
O’Melveny & Myers
Actis fund director joins O’Melveny & Myers O’Melveny & Myers has recruited a former director from private equity firm Actis to its Asia practice. Dean Collins joins the firm’s Singapore office as partner in the investment funds and securitisation practice. Collins arrives from the London office of Actis, as a director Dean Collins specialising in funds, and has also had a six-year stint with law firm SJ Berwin. Actis partner Jonathon Bond said that the appointment will strengthen ties between O’Melveny and the PE firm. “Dean has joined one of our principal relationship law firms, and [we] look forward to strengthening our relationship with O’Melveny in the future.” Collins said that his move was motivated by the “immense” opportunities in the private equity market in Asia.
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