Owing to the pandemic and today’s unprecedented connectedness, young workers are undergoing a home-working revolution that is reshaping workplace dynamics. However, it’s also feared that these younger lawyers might fall short in acquiring the social skills essential in cultivating client relationships. Law firm talent leaders share how to nurture a new generation of technically and socially capable lawyers in the age of digitalisation.

There has been a continued rise in prominence of the role of chief diversity officers in law firms globally as the legal industry has gradually taken stock of the need to pursue DEI goals. Apart from creating a forward-looking workplace, cultural awareness also adds value to the firm’s calibre in the eyes of clients. ALB hears from diversity leaders on how empowering inclusion can make a law firm stronger.

On Valentine’s Day, Indonesians went to the polls during the world’s largest single-day election, and decided that their former defence chief should be their next president.

Joanne Lau recently took on the role of secretary-general of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC). She shares her plans to showcase the unique advantages that Hong Kong boasts as a top-notch arbitration hub, and how innovation will drive the HKIAC forward.

In its bid to transform into a high-income country in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has moved to revamp its law to give more flexibility to the development and management of land, which is considered a crucial piece within the country’s economic development plans.

Thailand is on a quest to decarbonise its gas-heavy power grid, setting its eyes on the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2065.

With the Asian region continuing to remain a hotspot for trade and investment, gone are the days when Singapore law firms were content simply with the domestic pie. Singapore Big Four firm Allen & Gledhill, which already has a presence in Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia, recently announced the open-ing of an office in Shanghai – its first in China – and recently established a new alliance in Indonesia.

Strong government intervention and a willing market is turning Hong Kong into a global sustainable finance hub, but it is far from reaching its full potential. 

Increased economic activity between India and Japan is creating new work for lawyers in both countries, but there is still a long way to go to facilitate cross-border legal market growth and expansion. 

The Middle East’s economic ties with emerging Asian economies is on the rise as M&A and sovereign investments between the regions drive growth. However, Asian law firms and lawyers are struggling to compete in an overcrowded legal market.