Pinsent Masons MPillay, the Singapore office of UK law firm Pinsent Masons, has recruited senior energy and infrastructure expert David Clinch as a partner in Singapore from Shearman & Sterling, where he was an of counsel.

UK law firm Simmons & Simmons has beefed up its partner strength in Asia by hiring Terence Seah in Singapore from Stephenson Harwood and Jeffrey Friedenberg as the head of its private funds practice in Hong Kong, and also relocating disputes partner Steven Kaye to Singapore from London.

Malaysian law firm Naqiz & Partners has merged with Esther Hor, Mohanthas, Scully (HMS), the local member firm of RHTLaw Asia. The merged firm will retain the Naqiz name and take over HMS’ membership in the RHT-led legal network known as the ASEAN Plus Group.

DLA Piper, Covington & Burling and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu are advising Japanese automotive chipmaker Renesas on its planned A$9.1 billion ($5.9 billion) acquisition of Australian electronics design firm Altium, which is being represented by King & Wood Mallesons and Reed Smith.

Clifford Chance and Nishimura & Asahi have acted for private equity firm CVC Capital Partners on its 17-billion-yen ($1.2 billion) acquisition of Sogo Medical Group, Japan’s fifth-biggest pharmacy by store numbers. Sogo was represented by Mori Hamada & Matsumoto.

Morrison & Foerster and Zhong Lun Law Firm have advised Hong Kong-based private equity firm Ascendent Capital on its $1.66 billion bid to take Chinese automation control system provider Hollysys private. The latter is being represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell and Haiwen & Partners.

Singapore’s dynamic legal landscape is witnessing a surge in boutique firms that have distinguished themselves from the pack. These firms are challenging traditional models by offering specialised expertise, personalised service, and innovative approaches to legal challenges, making them ones to watch in the years to come. Like in previous years, ALB continues to highlight impactful boutique firms that have carved their own niches and made waves in the market. The list is in alphabetical order and some firms have been profiled.

In its annual feature, Asian Legal Business celebrates the next generation of legal talent in Indonesia. These high-performing lawyers are not only delivering impressive results but also winning rave reviews from satisfied clients. The list is in alphabetical order and some lawyers have been profiled.

Clifford Chance and ABNR are advising pension investor APG Asset Management on its investment in a $2.75 billion Indonesia toll road investment platform, which is being represented by Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung and Herbert Smith Freehills.

South Korean Big Six firm Shin & Kim and Jakarta-based law firm ARMA Law have entered into a non-exclusive alliance, which is expected to complement the former’s existing Indonesia desk.