International law firm adds 6 partners in Asia-Pac expansion
Clyde & Co has announced six new partners in the Asia-Pacific bringing the total in the region to 46. Three of the partners are lateral hires with the others coming from promotions.
In Sydney, construction partner Kon Nakousis joins the infrastructure team from Minter Ellison while Gareth Horne is an internal promotion to insurance partner having joined at the firm’s inception in Australia in 2012.
In Singapore, Justin Tan joins as corporate partner from local firm Rodyk & Davidson; June Yeum joins as international arbitration partner having previously co-headed international disputes at Lee & Ko in Seoul; and Trudy Seow is promoted to partner in the aviation practice.
Finally in Hong Kong Conor Warde is promoted to partner in the marine sector team. The announcements bring the total number of partners across Clyde’s global operation to 320.
Corrs Chambers Westgarth launches new legal risk app
A partner at Aussie law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth has developed a new app to tackle legal risk in workplaces. Workplace relations partner Jane Hall designed the pc, smartphone and tablet tool to enable key people in businesses to seek advice, communicate and capture important data and evidence in the event of a crisis. She says it is an intuitive tool that allows managers to respond to a workplace crisis and to be prepared in the event of an incident. It is being made available to Corrs’ clients free of charge.
Chinese law firm makes innovative international move
A Chinese law firm has become the first to operate in the UK as an alternative business structure with a focus on Chinese firms looking to expand overseas. Yangtze Law has opened a London office but plans to open in Hong Kong and New York within a year. It will give clients of China’s YangTzejiang Legal Network of independent firms access to British lawyers. UK firm Michelmores will provide back office services for the new firm and its managing partner Malcolm Dickinson will be Yangtze’s chief executive.
Lawyers challenge the law of succession
The recent change to the law of succession which was adopted by the 16 nations in the Commonwealth is being challenged in Canada. The amendment which allows a monarch’s first-born child to succeed to the throne irrespective of gender was introduced in time for the arrival of William and Kate’s first child. However, its implementation was by means of a federal law in Canada and two law professors say that it should have involved a constitutional change and the consent of the provinces. Patrick Taillon and Genevieve Motard have the support of the Attorney General and the case is being heard this week in Quebec Superior Court. If it is upheld it will force the government to either break with the rest of the Commonwealth on the issue or face a tough battle to change the constitution.
