Eversheds has launched a new Singapore office. The firm has taken on Desmond Ong, former managing partner of DLA Piper’s Singapore office. Ong, a corporate and litigation lawyer, will head the office.
Source: www. legalweek.com
WilmerHale has decided to widen its Asia network with the launching of a Shanghai office. The process has begun to acquire a permit to practice in Shanghai. WilmerHale currently has an office in Beijing and is even considering adding offices in Asia.
Source: www.thelawyer.com
Evan here. I am writing from Miami, where I am recovering from another Gators BCS title. It has been a few weeks since we have posted here, due to the holidays and then being slammed upon return to work. There has also been a tremendous amount of partner level recruiting that we have been pre-occupied [...]
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has launched a Moscow office with approximately 70 attorneys from Pepeliaev, Goltsblat & Partners (PGP), a top Russian firm. Andrey Goltsblat, previously co-managing partner of PGP, will run the new office, and is also its namesake. The attorney brought 8 partners along with him. It is estimated that Goltsblat (the office), will make a tenth of BLP’s overall revenue.
Source: www.thelawyer.com
Allen & Overy is in the midst of restructuring its Hong Kong arm as a response to the ailing economy as well as to its loss of seven corporate partners who laterally moved to Latham & Watkins in October 08. The firm is left with four partners. Allen & Overy has assured its staff that it is thinking of them first. The public, as well as its staff, will have to wait to see the outcome of this restructure.
Source: www.asialegalbusinessonline.com
Nixon Peabody has taken on ex-Heller partner, Henry Liu, to oversee the China practice. Liu is to split his time between NY and Shanghai. Between 1995 and 2000, Liu was general counsel and director-general at the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Nixon Peabody welcomes Liu with open arms.
Source: www.legalweek.com
Morrison & Forester’s Tokyo office is doing well, despite the global recession. Ken Siegal, managing partner, reports that its budget grew by 15% in 2008; they continue to stay very busy. The firm also has a perk to look forward to in the new year: the Japanese government is sending a second stimulus package to aid in combating the recession.
Source: www.asia.legalbusinessonline.com
DLA Piper is making its presence in Asia known with the recent hire of Kit Kwok. Kwok joins the firm’s China corporate practice as partner. DLA has also boosted its Asia practice by promoting five other lawyers to partner. Kwok, previously with Roosevelt Sino Retailers, will work out of the Shanghai office.
Source: www.financeasia.com
One cannot escape the consequences of a suffering economy. Although it was birthed in the United States, it has soon become a global problem. Law firms can attestify that changes had to be made to endure these difficult times. Practice areas, such as private equity and real estate have slowed down immensely. But the economy slump has not hit every practice area, nor market equally. Litigation has been doing well. Also, firms with Moscow offices, have reported that they are still very busy in Russia. But the luckiest are the New York firms that are working on the bank bailouts. Even in times like these, legal work continues and at times is even created by the downturn iteself.
Source: www.amlawydaily.typepad.com
