London-headquartered insurance-focused law firm DAC Beachcroft has expanded its presence in Asia with a new office in Hong Kong, which will operate in association with newly founded local firm CK Lee & Co.
The Hong Kong office will be led by partner Ross Risby (L), who specialises in advising on professional liability and financial lines insurance risks, including directors and officers insurance disputes. Risby spent over 30 years practicing in the London insurance market before moving to Hong Kong.
“Our decision to launch in Hong Kong is client-driven. We have been operating in Singapore for almost 15 years, but to really have a foothold in the Asian market, we recognise the need to expand our presence,” Risby told ALB.
The office will also include partner Wai Yue Loh (R), who focuses on shipping, trade, commodities and insurance law, with extensive experience advising Chinese clients inside and outside China.
Loh is the joint managing director of DACB’s Singapore association firm Incisive Law, Ince & Co’s erstwhile ally. Loh previously headed Ince’s Beijing office and China Practice Group in Singapore.
DACB’s Hong Kong association firm, CK Lee & Co, will be managed by Kelvin Lee and supported by senior associate Will Chan. Lee, who was most recently with Ince & Co in Hong Kong, has a focus on coverage disputes, particularly related property/BI risks and product liability insurance, and has also advised reinsurers.
"It has been a long-time ambition of ours to expand into Hong Kong," said Gustavo Blanco, DACB's head of international business, in a statement. "With a foothold in this important market, we are delivering on our ambition to be the international insurance law firm of choice for the global insurance industry.”
Apart from its Singapore office, DACB also has associations with Malaysian law firm Gan Partnership and Shanghai law firm Kai Rong.
DACB’s Hong Kong venture comes as international law firms are tamping down their presence in Greater China due to uncertain market outlook and heightening geopolitical tensions.
Winston & Strawn closed its Hong Kong office earlier this year while Dechert is believed to be considering shuttering in the SAR as well. Meanwhile another U.S. law firm, Mayer Brown, said that it plans to separate from its current Hong Kong operation.
Risby said DACB’s Hong Kong launch is part of the firm’s aim to provide the global insurance industry with international expertise and presence, combined with local knowledge.
“Our clients benefit from legal experts who understand local markets, and who have full access to the wider infrastructure and support of a major international law firm. That applies whatever market conditions may be since we always look to work in partnership with our clients to overcome the challenges they face,” he told ALB.
