Morning Briefing: KWM to open in Singapore

King & Wood Mallesons expands with Singapore office
The global expansion of KWM is continuing with a new Singapore office expected within the next few months. Initially the office will focus on international funds, energy and resources and China inbound and outbound work. Global managing partner Stuart Fuller said that with the firm headquartered in Asia it was right that the firm has a strong base in the region and the new location will better serve clients operating in South East Asia, North Asia and India. The office will open once regulatory processes are completed.
 
Quindell insists it’s still talking to Slater & Gordon
Quindell says that talks are still continuing with Slater & Gordon about the possibility of the Australian-listed firm acquiring its law division. The legal processing firm has seen its shares drop after reports that talks with Slaters had ended without a deal. ThisIsMoney.co.uk reports that Quindell has been forced to reassure investors that talks are ongoing for a potential deal worth almost AU$2 billion.
 
 
BLP elects new managing partner
Berwin Leighton Paisner will have a new managing partner from 1st May following the election of Lisa Mayhew. After 16 years in the role Neville Eisenberg announced last year that he was to stand down and is likely to be in the running to replace Harold Paisner as senior partner later this year. Mayhew was elected yesterday in a two-candidate vote with David Collins. She is the current head of employment and is seen as offering a fresh vision for the firm’s future.
 
New managing partner for HFW in Dubai
Holman Fenwick Willan has announced that Rula Dajani Abuljebain will become the managing partner of its Middle East regional office from 1^st April. She has been based in the Dubai office since 1996 and specialises in corporate and commercial law. Current head Hugh Brown is retiring from the partnership at the end of March.
 
Pinsent Masons hires energy team
Pinsent Masons has hired a team of lawyers for its energy practice, led by partner Paul McGoldrick who joins from Bond Dickinson. The team will develop the firm’s oil and gas transactional work and McGoldrick has experience as an in-house lawyer with international energy firms as well as private practice. There is also a new corporate team leader in Pinsent’s Middle East practice with Osama Hassan joining from Bennett Jones in Canada.