Dentons to close Singapore practice
Dentons is reportedly closing its Singapore practice ahead of finalizing its merger with Chinese firm Dacheng. The Global Trade Review reports that the firm has confirmed that the practice will close and that following integration of the two merger partners it will be Dacheng’s Wong Alliance office that will remain. Denton’s Singapore presence is a niche trade finance practice whereas the Wong Alliance offers wider capabilities. Lawyers and staff affected by the move are being consulted.
International law firm in merger talks
International law firm Clyde & Co is in talks with UK firm Simpson & Marwick about a potential merger. Clyde has more than 1,500 lawyers in 40 locations including Australia, China and Singapore. Simpson & Marwick has 8 offices in Scotland, northern England and London. It’s understood that Simpson’s family law team of 15 has left the firm to join Brodies to expand that firm’s international capability.
A&O partner to be Asia-based president of LCIA
Allen & Overy partner Judith Gill QC is to become the next president of the London Court of International Arbitration. Current president Professor William Park steps down from the role next May. Gill will become the first English president of the court since the 1980s but will be based in Singapore and will use her location to help champion the LCIA’s benefits throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
DLA Piper appoints new pro-bono counsel for Asia-Pac
Catriona Martin has been appointed to the role of pro-bono counsel for Asia-Pacific by international law firm DLA Piper. She joins from
Herbert Smith Freehills where she was a senior associate in the disputes group and has extensive experience in public interest litigation, legal education, law reform and implementation of community programs. She will be based in the Sydney office and joins Nicolas Patrick, international pro bono partner; Emily Christie, pro bono lawyer, Melbourne; Clare Pearson, pro bono lawyer, Beijing; Alison Ewart, pro bono counsel, Sydney (currently on secondment to UNICEF) and Michael Gill, pro bono consultant, Sydney.
International firm appoints new corporate responsibility partner
Linklaters has appointed Kathryn Ludlow as head of its global corporate responsibility committee. She succeeds corporate partner Tom Shropshire in the role while her current position as global pro bono partner will be filled by corporate partner Owen Clay.
