3 Asian Legal Business | December 2024 TheBriefs Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM), one of Hong Kong’s oldest law firms, has announced its return as a leading independent firm in the region following a previously announced separation from Mayer Brown. The 160-year-old Hong Kong partnership has received approval from The Law Society of Hong Kong to revert to its legacy name following Mayer Brown’s announcement of its plans to separate from its current Hong Kong operations. However, JSM will temporarily remain in association with Mayer Brown Hong Kong during a transition period. JSM’s rich history dates back to 1863, when it was established in Hong Kong by Edmund Sharp as a sole proprietorship. The firm changed its name to Johnson, Stokes and Master in 1890. In 2008, JSM combined with Mayer Brown to become Mayer Brown JSM. The firm dropped the JSM name in 2018, changing its name in Asia to Mayer Brown. However, it was announced in May that JSM would be de-coupling from Mayer Brown to separate the Hong Kong partnership from the international practices. During this temporary association, JSM and Mayer Brown Hong Kong will treat themselves as one firm for the purpose of professional rules of conduct relating to confidentiality and Johnson Stokes & Master reborn as Mayer Brown HK split comes through Your monthly need-to-know conflicts of interest, according to the firm’s statement. JSM’s new management committee is led by senior partner Terence Tung, alongside commercial managing partner Hannah Ha, dispute resolution managing partner Geoffrey Chan, and real estate managing partner Keith Cheung. With over 120 lawyers, including 40 partners, JSM aims to focus on sectors critical to Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” between mainland China and global markets. The firm will maintain Mayer Brown’s representative offices in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as an intellectual property agency office in Beijing. JSM’s strategy involves leveraging its experience in high-growth sectors, such as cybersecurity, ESG, insurance, private capital, and technology, while maintaining its traditional strengths in banking, finance, real estate, and construction. Mayer Brown, meanwhile, will have about 10 partners in Hong Kong led by capital markets partner Thomas Kollar. It currently also has offices in Singapore and Tokyo. Media reports have suggested that the firm’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City branches will become a part of JSM following the split. Quote Unquote “Whilst we have always been known as ‘孖士打’ in Hong Kong, it is now the right time to build upon this important legacy to establish a new direction for the Hong Kong partnership as a leading independent law firm, responsive to the challenges and opportunities our clients navigate today.” Terence Tung, Johnson Stokes & Master
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA0NzE4Mw==