Asia-Pac expansion for international firm
International firm DAC Beachcroft hopes to expand its footprint in Asia with a joint venture in Malaysia. The firm has applied for a licence to operate the venture in association with Gan Partnership. Although DAC Beachcroft already has an association with the local firm, the new JV will deepen its capabilities for the insurance sector in the country. Gan will continue to operate its separate domestic practice.
Lawyers who sold to Slater & Gordon consider shareholding losses
Slater & Gordon has advised the Australian stock market that those who became shareholders in the firm when it acquired two UK law firms are free to sell their shares from 1
st May. However, the former partners of Walker Smith Way and Russell Jones & Walker may choose to hold onto their shares in the hope of them regaining value.
The shareholders were prohibited from selling shares until next month and have faced the painful truth that holdings that were worth a total of around A$850,000 now would have been worth more than $25 million a year ago.
24 make partner at international firm
Linklaters has announced promotions to its international partnership with effect 1
st May 2016. Among the new partners are 5 from Asia-Pacific plus an additional promotion to senior consultant. Across the international firm’s offices there are also 35 promotions to counsel.
The new partners for Asia-Pac are: Alex Bidlake, corporate; Frank Cui, banking; Jonathan Horan, capital markets; Terrance Lau, capital markets; and Justin Tang, disputes resolution. All five are in the Hong Kong office. Eric Liu is promoted to senior counsel in the corporate practice.
Law firm emails demanded in Ashley Madison hack litigation
When extramarital affairs website Ashley Madison was hacked last year with personal data released on the internet, it sent shockwaves through thousands of households. Those who were caught up in the ensuing scandal included hundreds of thousands in Australia and New Zealand.
Now, as litigation approaches in a US courtroom, plaintiffs are demanding emails sent between the website owner Avid Life Media, its general counsel and law firm Barnes & Thornburg. They are alleged to hold vital evidence that the website used automated fake profiles in order to attract clients.
Avid Life Media says that the emails are privileged. Bloomberg reports that no comment has been made by the firm’s current outside counsel Paul Weis Rifkind Wharton & Garrison.
