Asia-Pac’s top 100 firms announced
The annual survey of the biggest law firms in Asia-Pacific has been released and includes five Australian firms in the top 20. The list, published by
The American Lawyer, is dominated by Chinese firms with Yingke (with 4,153 lawyers), Dacheng (3,700) and King & Wood Mallesons (2,036) in the top three positions.
Herbert Smith Freehills is the highest-placed Aussie firm (4
th) with 1,868 lawyers. Minter Ellison (792 lawyers) is 11
th;
Allens (722) is 12
th;
Clayton Utz (689) is 14
th; and Slater & Gordon (514) is in 19
th place. The placings are based on headcounts for 2014.
New joint venture for international law firm
RPC has announced a joint venture in Singapore with local firm Premier Law. The combination will go live on 1
st May 2016 and will be known as RPC Premier Law Pte Ltd. It will provide a comprehensive range of services across a number of key practices and will have four partners and a total team of 27. RPC has operated in the city state since 2012 advising insurers under UK law and has stated its intention to expand in Singapore the wider region.
Kennedys announces expansion of capabilities
International firm Kennedys is now able to practice US law for the first time having expanded capabilities in its Miami office with the hire of Neil Bayer and Dan Sanders. The US-qualified duo will oversee the firm’s US advisory capability. Meanwhile the firm has entered into a new alliance with Alberto Bunge & Asociados in Argentina, expanding its Latin America capability and adding to its existing alliances in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.
New global cyber security chief at HSF
Andrew Moir has been named as the new head of the global cyber security practice at Herbert Smith Freehills. The London-based partner will oversee the practice which has 25 partners across its international offices. Moir has a background in electronics, IT and software engineering prior to training as a solicitor.
Peter Lamont joins NRF in Brisbane
Norton Rose Fulbright has appointed Peter Lamont as a construction and engineering partner in Brisbane. Lamont joins the firm from Clayton Utz and brings the total number of lateral hires at the firm’s Australian offices to eight over the past year.
