Russian law firm focuses on Asia Pacific
Growing demand from clients has led to a bolstering of the Asia Pacific practice at Goltsblat BLP, the Russian practice of international law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner.
The firm’s APAC-focused practice has appointed a new head, Sergey Milanov, who will also be a banking & finance partner at the firm. He joins from K&L Gates in Japan where he split his time between Tokyo and Moscow. He was previously with Orrick, and White & Case.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Moscow has been keen to reinvigorate its links with Asia Pacific, particularly Southeast Asia, following the drop in oil prices and effects of western sanctions. However, the interest flows the other way too with many BLP clients looking to invest in Russia, particularly its Far East region.
Goltsblat BLP has a strategy of expanding to the Asian markets, especially Japan, Singapore, Korea and China and recently relocated Ian Ivory, Partner, Corporate/ M&A, to Hong Kong.
International firm to lose dual-role senior executive
One of the senior management team at Eversheds is to leave the international firm in 2017. Kathryn Fleming has been with the firm for a decade and is currently chief operating officer and finance director.
She joined the management team in her finance role in 2009 and also became COO two years ago with a particular focus on the firm’s international expansion.
Ms. Fleming says that she has enjoyed her time at Eversheds but feels that now is the right time to explore new opportunities.
Hong Kong hires for Orrick, Mayer Brown
Two international firms have announced new partners in their Hong Kong offices.
At Orrick, leading litigator Charles Allen joins as a partner in its complex litigation & dispute resolution practice. He joins from Sidley Austin.
Meanwhile, Mayer Brown has hired Doo-Soon (Doos) Choi for its banking & finance practice, joining from
Ashurst.
Why you should never defend a Chilean health insurer
While some cases will also be more difficult to win than others, there is one lawsuit for which going for the win appears futile; defending a Chilean health insurance company over its premiums.
Judges in Chile’s courts frequently hear cases brought by consumers in a bid to stop health insurers raising premiums. The plaintiffs always win!
According to Canada’s Globe & Mail, there were 130,000 injunctions filed against Chilean health insurers last year and in every case the defendants were not only forced to scrap price increases but to pay plaintiff’s legal fees too.
The issue is causing such a problem for the insurers that analysts are questioning whether private health insurers in Chile can afford to continue.
