CMS BACK IN HONG KONG
International commercial firm CMS Hasche Sigle recently opened a Hong Kong office focusing on dispute resolution and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
The firm last had a presence in Hong Kong via CMS Cameron McKenna, which closed in 2003.
“Setting up our own office in Hong Kong will allow us to provide effective local support to clients from Europe, China, the Asia-Pacific region and the US,” said Nicolas Wiegand, a partner in the CMS International Arbitration Group and head of the Hong Kong office. “As such, we are responding to growing business volumes and meeting the need for client proximity and cross-border advice.”
ASIAN EXITS ADD TO GLOBAL TALLY FOR ASHURST
The Singapore departure of managing partner Shaun Lascelles followed hot on the heels of two exits from Hong Kong and many more globally for Ashurst recently. The departures of Lascelles and partner Keith McGuire from the Singapore office followed those of Hong Kong managing partner Lina lee and corporate partner Jonathan Hsui.
Other high-profile exits around the world have contributed to a wave of departures in the past 12 months or so as the firm restructures its partner remuneration and equity following a recent drop in revenue.
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WHITE & CASE RAIDS 10 FOR SYDNEY OFFICE
White & Case has snared 10 partners from Herbert Smith Freehills to launch its Australian practice amid reports that more raids are to come. The New York-headquartered firm’s new project finance team came mainly from Herbert’s Sydney and Melbourne offices, with one more each from Hong Kong and Singapore.
Meanwhile, reports from Down Under are speculating that White & Case is still hunting a corporate team, with possible target firms including Gilbert + Tobin, Clayton Utz, Allens, and King & Wood Mallesons. Recent new offices in Asia for the firm include Seoul and a presence via alliance in Jakarta with Witara Cakra Advocates.
WALKERS SPINS WEBB FOR HK CORPORATE TEAM
Walkers has hired James Webb for its Finance & Corporate Group in Hong Kong. The new partner Webb has offshore and onshore experience, and was stationed previously in the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, London and Singapore.
Webb advises on debt transactions, acquisition finance, leveraged finance, project finance, real estate finance, structured finance, bond issuances, general lending and restructurings.
He also acts on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements and corporate restructurings.
WITHERS HIRES SINGAPORE OFFSHORE SPECIALIST
Withers has recruited offshore specialist Marcus Hinkley as special counsel in Singapore. He was previously with Collas Crill as head of its Singapore office.
Hinkley’s experience extends to trusts across multiple jurisdictions, as well as family offices and HNWIs on wealth structuring, with an accent on Southeast Asia.
“His onshore experience in Southeast Asia and industry-recognized expertise in advising offshore trusts will be a valuable asset,” said Withers managing director Margaret Robertson.
GIDE’S VIETNAM CHIEF CHANGES TO PWC
PwC has appointed Nasir Dao as a partner in Vietnam and head of PwC Legal offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Dao joins from Gide Loyrette Nouel, where he headed the Vietnam practice. Prior to Gide, he worked at Hogan Lovells and led its Vietnam offices. As a corporate and M&A specialist, Dao has worked in Vietnam for the past 12 years and his Vietnam practice spans private equity investments, private and public M&A, joint ventures and general corporate, investment and commercial matters. Dao’s appointment follows a decision by Gide to consolidate its two offices in the country and work solely from Ho Chi Minh City.
PHILIPPINE LAW FIRM JOINS RAJAH & TANN
Full service Philippine firm C&G Law will join Rajah & Tann Asia from 1 January 2017. C&G has a staff of more than 30 lawyers and specializes in corporate and commercial, litigation and arbitration, taxation, and labour and employment.
Via the alliance, the firm’s clients now have access to 650 lawyers in 12 offices around the region.
Jaime Renato Gatmaytan, C&G Law’s managing partner, will join Rajah & Tann’s Regional Management Council as the Philippines’ representative. “Joining the Rajah & Tann Asia network is not only timely, but necessary to meet the growing demands of our clients,” he said.
Rajah & Tann Asia’s chairman, Lee Eng Beng, said: “C&G Law will certainly boost our capabilities in helping clients navigate the diverse legal landscape in Asia.”
CIETAC APPOINTS SECRETARY-GENERAL
Wang Chengjie was recently appointed as the new secretary-general of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and president of the commission’s Arbitration Court.
Wang has nearly 30 years’ experience in the area of dispute resolution. During his time in CIETAC, from 1991-2009, he acted consecutively as chief of the filing division, research institute and business development division, and in 2007 was appointed CIETAC’s deputy secretary-general. In 2015, Wang was installed as director-general of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade’s legal affairs department, until he returned to CIETAC to take up his new position.
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