Despite recent meetings, Hong Kong’s international law firms remain greatly concerned about the Law Society’s proposed rules that would restrict foreign lawyers’ ability to practice in the market, but are hopeful for a resolution, Asian Legal Business understands.

With the rise of contract-lawyer offerings in Asia, legal professionals across the region are finding that they have an additional career path beyond a conventional law firm or an in-house role. As these organisations offer lawyers varied working experiences and a sense of control over their working lives, it is no surprise that the life of a flexible lawyer is being seen as increasingly attractive.

Partners from 15 international law firms in Hong Kong have drafted a letter expressing their concerns over proposed rules from the Law Society that would curtail employment opportunities for foreign lawyers in Hong Kong, and tighten up so-called “loopholes” in the city's legal market.

Despite its abundance of oil, minerals and renewable resources, Papua New Guinea is considered one of the more challenging frontier markets to invest and operate in due to its climate of social and political upheaval. But this has not scared off international interest, which has only grown in recent years, including within the legal sector. International firms are beginning to set up footholds in the island nation’s capital, and they see a bright future ahead.

Offshore firm Harneys has hired dispute resolution specialist Andrew Johnstone as a partner in Hong Kong from HFW, and also named Ian Mann, head of its litigation and restructuring practice group, as its new Asia managing partner.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is set to exit South Korea after six years in that country, even as fellow New York-headquartered firm Shearman & Sterling gets closer to opening an office there.

Goodwin Procter has hired debt finance specialist Daniel Lindsey as a partner in its private equity practice in Hong Kong from Kirkland & Ellis.

A team of six lawyers, led by partners Adam Hugill and Alfred Ip, has left Hong Kong law firm Oldham, Li & Nie (OLN) to set up a new boutique named Hugill & Ip.

Withers has hired investment funds specialist Junko Pitt (Shiokawa) as a partner in its Hong Kong office from offshore law firm Harneys as part of its expanding focus on Japan.