ALB Employer of Choice 2024 About Around a year ago, law firms were already grappling with the challenge of keeping their members, particularly the younger generation, engaged, motivated, and committed. However, the advent of a groundbreaking new technology, in the form of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), has added another significant variable, presenting both risks and opportunities. Some of Asia’s best law firms to work for say that while it will be important to integrate Gen AI in a safe and impactful manner, effective talent retention is rooted in a human-centric approach tha ..read more

CC, Slaughters advise as HK-listed SciClone goes private for $1.13 bln   Clifford Chance has advised the Hong Kong-listed SciClone Pharmaceuticals on an offer to take it private by healthcare-focused private equity firm GL Capital, with Slaughter and May acting for the buyer’s financial adviser, Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities (CICC). The transaction was implemented via a scheme of arrangement, which allows for a cash consideration of up to an approximate total of $1.13 billion. Founded in 2010, GL Capital is an investment firm focusing on buyouts and growth opportunities in Ch ..read more

Khaitan expands new Ahmedabad office with disputes hire Khaitan & Co, India’s largest law firm by headcount, has welcomed aboard disputes expert Digant Popat as a partner in its recently launched Ahmedabad office. Khaitan established its office in Ahmedabad, the most populous city in India’s western state of Gujarat, last December. The office has two partners now, the other being Atman Desai. Popat advises on matters related commercial, civil and criminal laws, including electricity and land laws, contracts, tenders, public trust, education, projects and infrastructure, and recovery proc ..read more

Why are Singapore’s maritime authorities investigating a shipping crash in the U.S.? A view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., March 26, 2024. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson   On March 26, the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the U.S. city of Baltimore, taking the lives of six bridge construction workers. Since then, the city-state has sent shipping regulators to the U.S. for an investigation that brings international maritime laws to the fore, as authorities ..read more

Milbank, A&G advise Philippines’ Hotel101 Global on $2.3 bln SPAC merger The Nasdaq logo is displayed at the Nasdaq Market site in Times Square in New York City, U.S., December 3, 2021. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon   U.S. law firm Milbank and Singapore’s Allen & Gledhill have advised Hotel101 Global, the hotel arm of Philippines-listed real estate firm DoubleDragon, on its $2.3 billion proposed Nasdaq listing through a SPAC merger. Loeb & Loeb and PRC firm Dahui Lawyers counselled the SPAC, JVSPAC Acquisition Corporation. Following the deal, Hotel101 Global will become the first Philip ..read more

East & Concord HK firm makes M&A hire from Akin Beijing   Yang & Yang Solicitors, PRC law firm East & Concord Partners’ Hong Kong association firm, has added M&A expert Dennis Yeung as a partner from the Beijing office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, which closed recently. At the end of last year, Akin Gump announced the closure of its four-lawyer Beijing office. Office managing partner Allen Shyu moved to the firm’s Hong Kong office, while partner Jingli Jiang relocated to Washington, DC. Yeung has more than 20 years of experience, focusing on M&A, securi ..read more

Dentons adds finance and funds partner from Gallant in HK   Global law firm Dentons has expanded its debt finance and investment funds capabilities with the addition of Charles Yim as a partner in Hong Kong. Yim was previously a partner at local firm Gallant. Yim focuses his practice on bond issuance, structured notes offering and liability management of corporate bonds for investment banks, securities firms, trustees or corporate issuers. He also has experience in Hong Kong and offshore fund formation for fund managers, asset management companies, and family offices. Prior to joining t ..read more

CRS continues SG expansion by adding four-strong tax team   Private client specialist Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) has bolstered its international tax capacity in Asia by adding a four-lawyer tax team from U.S. firm Butler Snow, led by partners Kurt Rademacher (L) and Ivan Lu, to its recently launched Singapore office. All four lawyers are U.S.-qualified and provide U.S. legal advice to clients based in the Asia-Pacific region who have business or personal interests or interaction with the U.S. and need integrated, locally sourced advice on the applicable tax considerations, the firm ..read more

ALB Asia Super 50 TMT 2024 About In its fourth edition of the Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers list, ALB showcases the top lawyers in the region’s fast-growing technology, media, and telecommunications practices. Recognised for their achievements by clients, the list is presented in alphabetical order, with select lawyers profiled in further detail. Rowena Mon, 01 Apr 2024 - 13:10   METHODOLOGY Lawyers were selected based on feedback provided by clients sent directly to Asian Legal Business during December 2023 and January 2024; During evaluation, the work of nominated lawyers and t ..read more

Singapore’s Drew strengthens India offering with new disputes director   Singapore heavyweight Drew & Napier has bolstered its India-focused disputes practice with the addition of international arbitration specialist Abhinav Bhushan as a director in Singapore. The India-qualified Bhushan joins director Mahesh Rai’s disputes team, which specialises in cross-border arbitration and litigation. He was most recently an independent practitioner, arbitrator and Asia chief executive of the London-headquartered 39 Essex Chambers, and had previously served as director for South Asia of the In ..read more