PwC taps Ashurst, NRF for APAC regional practice launch
PwC Legal has launched its Asia Pacific regional practice in Singapore with the hire of two partners.
The firm has expanded its capabilities by establishing PwC Legal International Pte Ltd as a registered foreign law practice in the city state; and hiring two new partners.
Natalie Breen has joined from Norton Rose Fulbright in Singapore where she led the firm’s cross-border real estate team for 5 years. Prior to that she held senior in-house legal roles following a senior associate role at legacy Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques.
Meanwhile, Keith McGuire has joined from Ashurst’s office in Singapore. He was previously with Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance. He is an M&A specialist.
PwC Legal will continue to work with local firm Camford Law and others where domestic law matters are required.
Dentons expansion gets green light
The merger of Dentons with Cosa Rica’s Munoz Global has been approved, creating the first global law firm with offices in Central America.
The partners of both firms have agreed to the combination which will have 7,600 lawyers, 9,900 timekeepers and 13,600 people working across 147 locations in 60 countries.
At launch, the new firm will be known in Central America as Dentons Muñoz, with offices in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.
Another senior leader leaves KWM Europe
Addleshaw Goddard has reportedly hired three partners from King & Wood Mallesons’ ailing European arm including former managing partner William Boss, together with real estate partners Simon Tager and Michael Scott and managing associate Luke Harvey.
Law Society says Article 50 hearing must not politicize judiciary
The current hearing in the Supreme Court in London has been widely covered – and frequently criticized – in the media but the rule of law must be upheld says the Law Society of England & Wales.
Its president Robert Bourns says that the way the initial legal challenge to the UK government’s right to trigger Article 50 was ridiculed by some media and parts of the political world, was “an affront to the rule of law which underpins our democracy.”
He added that the EU referendum was a vote to leave the EU but that the question before the courts is a legal issue to determine correct process to enact that exit.
“No one is above the law, including the prime minister and the cabinet. We should be celebrating the fact that we have an independent and incorruptible judiciary to protect us all and to ensure the rule of law is upheld," Bourn said.
