Global private equity investors are pivoting away from China towards emerging markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, driven by concerns over China's growth and geopolitical risks.

The legal industry across Asia is looking ahead to major regulatory changes in 2025, primarily focusing on technology, financial services, and cross-border trade.

U.S. law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has hired Hagen Rooke as a partner in its financial regulatory practice group in Singapore from Reed Smith, where he had been a partner since 2022.

South Korean law firm Yoon & Yang has strengthened its regulatory capabilities with the addition of Adrian Bae as a senior foreign attorney in Seoul. Bae joins from British American Tobacco (BAT), where he most recently served as vice president for North Asia.

Global law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has strengthened its regulatory practice in Beijing and Shanghai after hiring Guo Bingna as a partner from White & Case.

Four senior partners from Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako, one of the Philippines’ oldest law firms, have branched out to set up their own boutique law firm as growing foreign direct investment and a liberalised regulatory landscape bring more legal work to the country.

Korean Big Six law firm Shin & Kim has continued the growth of its regulatory focus in 2024 with the addition of Seongkoo Cheong as a partner to lead its financial regulatory practice.

UK law firm Simmons & Simmons has announced the appointment of Kenneth Hui as its regulatory head for Hong Kong and Greater China. He was most recently a counsel at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

New merger thresholds, increased enforcement and more regulator-led awareness campaigns have given rise to flourishing and competitive markets in the Middle East’s largest economy, but some regulatory and procedural concerns still remain.

Hong Kong is stepping up to combat financial crimes and enhancing its reputation as a reliable global business centre. Christopher Wilson, the executive director of enforcement at the Securities and Futures Commissions (SFC), articulates the organisation's goals in upholding regulatory standards and offers guidance for general counsel to champion a culture of compliance.