Herbert Smith has relocated two equity capital market lawyers, senior associate Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan and associate Felipe Duque, from Hong Kong and London respectively, to form the core of its US securities team in Singapore.

One of six Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) licence holders permitted to practice Singapore law in some areas, Herbert Smith’s Singapore office has won a number of significant instructions advising issuers and underwriters across the Southeast Asia region and India, prompting the need for additional lawyers on the ground.

The practice is led by Austin Sweeney, the firm's managing partner for South East Asia, who has significant experience in both corporate & capital markets transactions. "The relocation of Siddhartha and Felipe to Singapore highlights the emphasis we are placing on growing our international capital markets capability in South and South East Asia responding to the growing depth and breadth of these markets," Sweeney said.

The firm also offers integrated US, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia law capability on cross-border deals through long-standing association with Indonesian law firm, Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung (HBT) in Jakarta. David Dawborn, a senior Herbert Smith Indonesian capital markets partner is seconded full-time to HBT.ALB

 Other related stories:

• Herbert Smith rumoured to be Australia bound (18 May 2011)
• HK: Mayer Brown JSM, Herbert Smith act on largest real estate follow-on offering (10 Nov 2011)
• Herbert Smith: Investigations and compliance work a key growth area; hires Goodwin Procter partner (15 Jun 2011)