Ashurst has relocated partner Simon Brown from Brisbane to Singapore to boost its corporate practice in Asia as restructuring partner Joel Hogarth exited the latter office – the latest in a string of departures at the firm.
A cross-border transaction specialist focused on Indonesia, Hogarth was part of a four-person restructuring team that joined Ashurst from O'Melveny & Myers two years ago. He is now set to join corporate advisory firm Borrelli Walsh’s Jakarta branch by early next year. “Hogarth had been looking for some time for a more commercial role than legal practice allowed, and he has now managed to secure such an opportunity,” said a spokesperson from Ashurst.
Brown, who headed the firm’s corporate practice in Australia, will be working with the Asian offices of Ashurst clients as well as with colleagues across the region and Australia.“We are confident he will make a very significant contribution to the team,” the spokesperson added.
Last month alone, Ashurst saw a slew of partner exits in Asia including Singapore managing partner Shaun Lascelles and former Hong Kong managing partner Lina Lee.
Lee joined Allen & Overy, along with former Ashurst Hong Kong partner Jonathan Hsui. Lascelles joined the London office of U.S. firm Vinson & Elkins.
Other Asia-based partners to depart Ashurst include Singapore partner Keith McGuire and Hong Kong partner Bertie Mehigan, who is now with Howse Bowers Williams.
Ashurst announced a 19 percent drop in profit per equity partner of 603,000 pounds ($797,690) in the past financial year, down from 747,000 pounds ($988,183) the year before.
