James Noble (L) and Jeremy Lightfoot talk about Carey Olsen's significant growth in the Asian legal market, focusing on the firm's strengths in litigation and insolvency practices, as well as its commitment to expanding its capabilities in the region.

 

Congratulations on having four lawyers named among ALB Asia Top Offshore Litigators. How does this recognition reflect Carey Olsen’s growth and positioning in the Asian legal market?

Carey Olsen’s Asia teams have achieved significant growth since launching in the region in 2015, and our Singapore-based offshore litigation team is now the largest in the market. Clients deeply appreciate our presence on-the-ground and ability to respond from their time zone with full-service litigation teams in both Hong Kong SAR and Singapore.

The Carey Olsen lawyers featured in this list showcases our breadth of experience across key offshore jurisdictions, including the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands.

We are particularly proud that Matthew Watson has been recognised for the first time following his relocation from Bermuda to Hong Kong in 2023.

Can you elaborate on the key strengths of Carey Olsen’s litigation and insolvency practices in Asia, and how these set you apart from other offshore firms in the region?

Put simply, we have decades of expertise, innovative problem-solving skills, and unparalleled client service. Our partners have lived and worked extensively in the BVI, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands, enabling us to provide strategic and tailored advice.

We offer 24-hour coverage from our Asia offices, ensuring seamless support for our clients. Our multilingual team, including Chinese lawyers such as Helen Wang who are deeply familiar with Chinese business practices, allows us to navigate complex cross-border matters effectively.

By combining our in-depth knowledge of offshore jurisdictions with our native-level understanding of the Asian business environment, we provide a unique value proposition that sets us apart.

Looking ahead, what are Carey Olsen’s plans for further developing its litigation and insolvency capabilities in Asia, and how do you see the firm’s role evolving in the region’s legal market?

Carey Olsen is committed to further expanding its litigation and insolvency capabilities in Asia by strategically growing our teams with new hires.

Our involvement in industry associations such as INSOL, IWIRC, SIAC, IPAS, IPBA and IBA means that we actively contribute to shaping the legal and regulatory environment, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest developments.

We have already expanded our private client and fintech practices in Asia, welcomed several lateral partner hires in litigation and investment funds, and promoted multiple employees. We expect this positive momentum to carry on into 2025 and beyond.