Big four services firm strengthens Asia-Pacific foothold

Big four services firm strengthens Asia-Pacific foothold
PwC has announced that it is boosting its Asia-Pacific stronghold through an enhanced collaborative structure.

PwC Asia-Pacific will involve collaboration between member firms across the region including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, China and Hong Kong.

The firm offers services including accounting tax finance and legal and employs more than 7000 people in Australia alone.

Luke Sayers, CEO, PwC Australia said “Asia Pacific is the fastest growing and most opportunity rich region in the world and the growth potential for Australian businesses is substantial and still very much untapped. Adopting a regional approach allows us to source the most relevant skills and bring that to the client opportunity wherever it exists throughout the region.”

International IP firm expands Asia-Pacific practice
European headquartered Awapatent has expanded its 120-year-old patent practice to China.

The firm's Asian arm AWA Asia launched in Hong Kong and Beijing in February 2015 with its brand management practice, and is now adding patent services in China due to client demand.

The new practice launches with two senior hires, partner Xiaofan Chen and senior patent attorney Yuanyuan Chu, who are based in Beijing.

Former Canadian government adviser joins arbitration team at Cooley
The international dispute resolution and public international law team of Cooley has been boosted by the addition of Christoph Bondy as special counsel.

The former senior counsel in Canada’s Trade Law Bureau and former government advisor will be based in London.

Cooley’s global litigation department now has 380 lawyers across offices in the US, London and Shanghai.

Recognition for Asian Pacific lawyer in US
Willard Tom, a partner at Morgan Lewis, has been recognised by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

He has been named a trailblazer, the organisation’s highest honour, chosen for vision, courage and tenacity and substantial and lasting contributions to the Asian Pacific American legal profession and broader APA community.

Tom has more than 35 years in the public and private legal profession and is a former general counsel of the US Federal Trade Commission.