International firm expands South East Asia capability
The South East Asia capability of
Holman Fenwick Willan has been boosted by the hiring of Haydn Dare as partner. Dare is admitted as Barrister and Solicitor at the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the
High Court of Australia and will work across Singapore and Indonesia. HFW recently announced the formation of an alliance in Singapore with AsiaLegal (HFW AsiaLegal) and may well look to create a similar presence in Indonesia.
Industry lobby changes name
The influential legal industry lobby group the Large Law Firm Group has changed its name to Law Firms Australia. The group – which represents
Allens,
Ashurst,
Corrs Chambers Westgarth,
Clayton Utz,
DLA Piper Australia,
Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons, Minter Ellison and Norton Rose – recently appointed Ross Drinnan from
Allens as its new chairman. The Australian reports that Mr Drinnan said the name change better reflects the firms it represents and that there is no plan for its membership to expand above the current nine.
Global reputation of UK law under threat
The Law Society of England & Wales says that proposed changes to the way that solicitors qualify could damage the reputation of UK law. The Solicitors Regulation Authority is considering a raft of new routes to qualification and the Law Society has examined them and is particularly concerned about the possible removal of workplace learning; the training contract. Jonathan Smithers, Law Society president said that UK law has worldwide respect built up over centuries but that: “There is a significant risk that the Solicitors Regulation Authority's proposed changes to qualifications could chip away at our reputation as a centre of legal excellence.”
New Myanmar managing partner for ZICOlaw
Samuel Britton has been hired as managing partner at ZICOlaw in Myanmar, joining from Sciaroni & Associates where he held a regional management role.
Clifford Chance moves Dubai office
The Dubai office of international law firm Clifford Chance is relocating to Burj Daman in the Dubai International Financial Centre next week (July 21). The law firm will occupy most of the 15
th floor and staff and clients will benefit from the latest audio-visual and communications technologies and will bring all of its lawyers in the city under one roof. This year marks Clifford Chance’s 40
th year in the UAE.
