International firms launch joint ventures in Asia Pacific

International firms launch joint ventures in Asia Pacific
Two international law firms have announced new joint ventures in Asia Pacific, a further sign of the region’s importance to global clients.
Simmons & Simmons has partnered with JWS Asia Law Corporation and received regulatory approval to launch Simmons & Simmons JWS in Singapore.
Managing partner Jeremy Hoyland said that the venture will form an integral part of the firm’s Asia business which includes offices in Beijing, Hong Kong Shanghai and Tokyo.
The joint legal venture is operating from this week, providing both foreign and Singapore law advice.
Meanwhile, Duane Morris has expanded its capabilities in the region with a new office in Taiwan for its joint venture with Selvam which already operates in Singapore, Shanghai and Myanmar.
The US-headquartered firm opened its first office in the region in 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The new venture in Taiwan is part of a long-term growth strategy for its international operations.
 
Baker & McKenzie lawyers now have flexible working
Lawyers across Baker & McKenzie’s global footprint can now benefit from flexible working including alternative working hours and remote working. The firm’s chief talent officer Peter May will lead the move for the firm’s headcount of more than 4,600 lawyers in 77 offices.
 
Asia-Pac lawyers among promotions at Latham
Latham & Watkins has announced a wave of new associates joining the partnership and promotions of existing associates to counsel.
The new associates and counsel are mainly in the US and Europe but there are three promotions in Asia Pacific; Zheng Wang (corporate) in Hong Kong; Tim Fourteau (finance) in Singapore; and Richard B. Fleming (finance) in Tokyo.
 
Eric Clapton sued for apparently incorrect credit
A U$5 million lawsuit has been launched against guitar legend and singer Eric Clapton, his record company and a broadcaster, claiming the wrong composer is credited on one of his albums.
The song Alberta, which features on Clapton’s 1992 album Unplugged is credited to blues guitarist Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, according to a report at GuitarWorld.com
However, the estate of deceased singer Bo Carter allege that the track sung by Clapton is Carter’s composition Corrine Corrina.
The article explains that the mix-up appears to have occurred as Carter’s song was not copyrighted until 4 years after he wrote it, by which time it had been covered by another artist who changed the original title to Alberta, Alberta.
The song Clapton sang on a TV broadcast and which is included on the album is reported to be his version of that cover, rather than the unrelated, but similarly titled, Ledbetter track!
Clapton and the other defendants have not commented.