King & Wood Mallesons has officially opened its doors in Singapore, a strategic move to pick up the flow of cross border work and investments into and out of China. The new office will focus on international funds, energy and resources.
While the firm already has a strong presence in Singapore, the new office is the firm’s 15th office in Asia and 30th worldwide, and will cement King & Wood Malleson’s standing in the Asia Pacific region.
Global managing partner
Stuart Fuller said that opening the office will allow the firm to effectively expand and further service the firm’s existing Asia client base.
“Singapore has been a priority for us for some time and right from the Mallesons and King & Wood merger we recognised that establishing a substantial on-the-ground presence in Singapore was essential to our Asia strategy and the logical next step for
KWM and our clients,” said Fuller. “South East Asia is one of the fastest growing markets in the world and Singapore has become a global hub for cross border investment, capital formation and commodities trading.”
With plans for expansion into further practice areas over time, the firm has relocated three partners who will head up M&A, Energy, Oil and Gas and Chinese inbound & outbound investment teams.
Australian cross-border funds expert, John Sullivan will be joined in Singapore by Michael Lawson, energy, resources and projects specialist from Melbourne and experienced cross-border M&A partner from the China and Hong Kong business, Huang Xuhua.
“We will also look to expand into areas and new markets driven by client and market opportunities. However, Asia will remain the heart of the firm’s operations and we will continue to make strategic decisions that enhance King & Wood Mallesons’ position as Asia's global elite law firm,” said Fuller. “KWM will continue to focus on deepening our existing platform and ensuring our clients have access to the right people for the right work.”
