SG: Greenberg lures over KWM South/Southeast Asia M&A head

by Nimitt Dixit |

U.S. law firm Greenberg Traurig has added another shareholder to its recently launched Singapore office after hiring Jake Robson to co-lead the office and head its South and Southeast Asia M&A practice. Robson joins from King & Wood Mallesons, where he held a similar role.

Indian disputes boutique Singularity launches in Singapore

by Nimitt Dixit |

Indian cross-border arbitration boutique Singularity Legal has established its second international office in under a year, with a new outpost in Singapore.

SG: Pinsents hires veteran energy lawyer from Shearman

by Mari Iwata |

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.

Simmons grows SG, HK offices with laterals, relocation

by Mari Iwata |

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.

RANKING: ALB Singapore Firms to Watch 2024

by Asian Legal Business《亚洲法律杂志》, Mari Iwata |

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.

BRIEFS: SE Asia poised for robust M&A year as tech, energy sectors drive dealmaking

by Sarah Wong |

With global businesses and investors growing weary of China's anaemic economic rebound and geopolitical upheaval, Southeast Asia has continued to solidify its standing as a key regional destination for dealmaking. While 2023 didn't match the highs of 2022, either in terms of deal value ($129.8 billion versus $90.6 billion) or volume (1,278 versus 933) – as per research from Mergermarket, White & Case, and ION Analytics) – last year dwarfed 2021 in terms of number of deals, and beat both 2019 and 2020 in terms of total amount.

BRIEFS: Singapore looks to take lead in ethical AI governance

by Sarah Wong |

Ever since generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) took large parts of the world by storm last year, policymakers and regulators globally have been playing catch-up with the rapidly evolving technology that is poised to reshape existing ways of work and life.

Q&A: 'To adapt to these changes, lawyers must reinvent themselves'

by Sarah Wong |

Lisa Sam, who founded and runs her own law firm in Singapore, was recently elected as the first female president of the Law Society of Singapore in two decades. Sam shares with ALB her plans for promoting the organisation and enhancing the profession as well as how to nurture the best talent to serve Singapore's legal industry.

Another partner exits McDermott SG as energy veteran joins WFW

by Mari Iwata |

U.S. law firm McDermott Will & Emery is down to a single partner in Singapore after energy expert Merrick White joined Watson Farley & Williams.

KWM expands SG office with addition of former Shearman banking partner

by Nimitt Dixit |

King & Wood Mallesons has bolstered its banking practice in Singapore with the addition of Gary Hamp, who was previously an independent consultant in London. Hamp is KWM’s first Asia partner hire in 2024.