As the Asian legal market goes from strength to strength, international firms have sought to bolster their offerings in the region. In particular, recent partnership promotions at leading UK firms have revealed a strong Asia focus.
Last week, Herbert Smith announced that thirteen lawyers had been promoted to partner. Of these, almost a third work in Asia.
Ashley Alder, head of Asia at Herbert Smith, says the promotions are reflective of the importance of emerging markets: “Global clients, headquartered both within and outside Asia, require sophisticated legal services across the region, particularly for cross border transactions and dispute resolution.” Adler adds that these promotions will allow Herbert Smith to better serve its clients in these markets.
The new partners and their principal areas of practice are:
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HERBERT SMITH APRIL 2011 PARTNER PROMOTIONS – ASIA
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Partner
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Practice area
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Office
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Melody Chen
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US Securities
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Beijing
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Emma Kratochvilova
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Contentious Construction
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Tokyo
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Hilary Lau
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Energy
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Hong Kong
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Jason Sung
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Corporate
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Hong Kong
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Several days later, magic circle firm
Clifford Chance announced that 23 lawyers would make partner. More than half of these appointees are based in Asia, with most working in the firm’s Hong Kong or Mainland China offices.
In a statement,
Clifford Chance managing partner David Childs said, "the significant number of promotions in Asia this year, reflects the vibrant nature of our business in the region, which is further bolstered by the enthusiasm and dedication of these individuals."
A spokesperson for
Clifford Chance said the promotions were an important part of the firm’s long-term plans in the region: “these appointments are one of a number of important steps in supporting the delivery of our Asia growth strategy - to cement our position as the leading international law firm in Asia, doubling revenues from the region in the next four years.”
But the firm’s spokesperson was quick to add that Asia was not the only market of interest to the firm: “We are also increasing investment in other growth markets, including in Africa, the Middle East and in Latin America and continue to develop our practices in Europe, the UK and the US.”
These most recent promotions bring the partner headcount at
Clifford Chance to 577.
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CLIFFORD CHANCE MAY 2011 PARTNER PROMOTIONS – ASIA
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Partner
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Practice area
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Office
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Neeraj Budhwani
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Corporate
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Hong Kong
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Matthew Fairclough
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Capital Markets
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Hong Kong
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Paul Greenwell
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Finance
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Hong Kong
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Kelly Gregory
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Corporate
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Shanghai
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Johannes Juette
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Capital Markets
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Singapore
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Hyun Kim
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Capital Markets
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Hong Kong
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Virginia Lee
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Corporate
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Hong Kong
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Maggie Lo
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Finance
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Beijing
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Glen Ma
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Corporate
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Shanghai
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Dauwood Malik
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Finance
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Hong Kong
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Jean Thio
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Capital Markets
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Shanghai
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Merrick White
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Finance
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Singapore
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These announcements follow the recent Linklaters’ promotions that saw 18 lawyers enter the partnership, including four from the Asia region.
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LINKLATERS APRIL 2011 PARTNER PROMOTIONS – ASIA
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Partner
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Practice area
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Office
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Sophie Mathur
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Mainstream corporate
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Singapore
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Wanwisar Nakarat
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Banking and projects
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Bangkok
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Victor Wan
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Banking and projects
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Hong Kong
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Peggy Wang
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Mainstream corporate
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Hong Kong
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