In a manifestation of just how important the growing Asia-Pacific markets are to offshore law firms, Ogier will relocate the managing partner of its Cayman Islands office, James Bergstrom, to head its Hong Kong practice with effect from January 2011. Existing managing partner Duncan Smith has indicated his plans to retire.

Bergstrom, who has run the firm’s Cayman Islands practice for the past eight years, will make the move in line with the firm’s strategy to capitalise on Asian market opportunities. “Asia is critical to Ogier’s growth strategy and we have already made significant steps in this regard,” Ogier group chief executive Nick Kershaw said. “We have opened an office in Tokyo and we plan to further increase our presence in the region.”

According to Kershaw, Hong Kong is the firm’s fastest growing office.

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