2023 has been characterised by continued economic challenges, geopolitical tumult, and strategic pivots by governments and businesses. Law firms in Asia emerging from this trial by fire have also harvested valuable takeaways to better navigate their jurisdictions’ shifting commercial and political landscapes.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shadow 2021, law firms have had to relook at their long-term strategy for everything from internal working policies to managing client relationships. When it comes to the latter, firm leaders say that it is important to be both innovative and proactive.

In the past year we saw a sharp increase in high-value disputes work with numerous industries under stress. In particular, there has been a significant increase in cross-border, joint venture disputes coming out of developing countries in the region.

Big Four Singapore firm Drew & Napier has undergone something of a metamorphosis over the past year, with lateral hires, the setting up of a regional network, and a greater emphasis on technology. CEO Cavinder Bull SC talks to Asian Legal Business about the changes, and shares plans for what’s ahead.

Cavinder Bull SC, the CEO of Singapore Big Four law firm Drew & Napier, is set to become a member of the governing board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA).

Davinder Singh SC has become the new executive chairman of Singapore Big Four law firm Drew & Napier, bringing to an end a two-decade stint as the firm's CEO. That role is being assumed by Cavinder Bull SC, co-head of Drew's competition law and regulatory practice.