The move will strengthen the firm’s Global Transportation Finance practice that’s already thriving in the region.
Vedder Price has opened a new office in Singapore strengthening its Global Transportation Finance (GTF) practice’s position in the region.
For the Singapore office which is located at Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay in Singapore, the firm will initially tap existing members of its GTF practice. Lateral hires are also planned for the office which will practice US and UK law.
The Singapore office was established by Ji Woon Kim who has relocated from the firm’s New York office.
Kim, a shareholder who has spent his entire career at Vedder Price, will manage the business development and strategic growth of the office, including lateral hires.
He has helped build the GTF practice for more than a decade. He will be joined by solicitor Lev Gantly who relocates from the firm’s London office.
“This is an exciting time for our firm and practice as we expand our capabilities into Asia,” said Dean N. Gerber, Vedder Price Board of Directors member, Executive Committee vice chair and chair of the firm’s Global Transportation Finance team.
“Singapore continues to be a key focal point for global transportation finance and leasing, and we expect this to continue for years to come given market conditions. We look forward to establishing new relationships and to strengthening our ability to serve our many clients already doing business or domiciled in Asia,” he said.
According to Vedder Price, the Singapore location gives the firm a foothold in a key region that is critical to the firm’s clients and where the firm’s GTF practice is already thriving.
The GTF practice is a key practice for the law firm, being regarded as one of the top firms in the specialisation.
The firm expects Asian global transportation finance, particularly aircraft finance, to experience explosive growth in the next two decades because of Asia’s population growth and subsequent air travel surge. Vedder Price also expects maritime finance to grow.
Vedder Price serves a broad base of clients across all transportation sectors, including the aviation, aerospace, railroad and marine industries, and serves both U.S.-based and international clients who execute deals worldwide under U.S. and UK law. The firm was named the "Law Firm of the Year" at the 2015 Aviation 100 Awards and recognized for "Overall Deal of the Year."
The Singapore office is the seventh office for the 300-lawyer firm, adding to locations in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, London, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
