Berwin Leighton Paisner managing partner Tom Budgett plans to expand the firm’s Singapore practice to four times its current size by mid-2012 – a plan that seems to be on track with new secondments flying in from London in addition to the six lawyers from Holman Fenwick & Willan due to join BLP by the first quarter of 2011.
In addition to the prized poaching of Holman Fenwick & Willan’s head of corporate finance Alistair Duffield, two new local partner hires – one from Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow and another from HFW will start the new year with BLP. Simon Michaels, a senior associate from Baker & McKenzie, named this year as a leading “Top 35 Under 35” private client adviser by Private Client Practitioner will be elevated to the position of partner and tasked with establishing BLP’s private client practice in Singapore following his arrival at the firm. “Trust and tax planning are our new focal practice areas that are slated for growth in the coming years. 35% of ultra high-net-worth clients are based in Southeast Asia, so it makes sense for us to develop a practice here,” Budgett said.
Tahira Ara, also with HFW, will join Duffield’s mining team at BLP as a partner. Her main practice area will be in the project-related business for mining clients.
The firm is also looking to expand its asset finance team in April 2011, with new additions currently in talks.
Other incoming laterals include BLP asset finance associate Anna Lewis, who will relocate from London to Singapore in February 2011.
BLP Singapore has witnessed a 30% jump in year-on-year revenue and has seen a stronger than expected pipeline of shipping, offshore oil rig and FPSOS work in the last two years.
According to Budgett, BLP Singapore plans to continue broadening its practice base and develop its business in the asset financing of mining equipment, infrastructure projects, aviation and shipping; and in corporate finance matters, including servicing general contracts, M&A, and working with listed companies.
BLP Singapore recently moved to its new premises in Republic Plaza this month, in the heart of Raffles Place in Singapore’s central business district. Its current headcount of five lawyers is targeted to grow to approximately 22 – the capacity of its new office.ALB
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