K&L Gates Opens in Singapore, as White & Case Reconfigures
As one well-known law firm confirms plans to reconfigure its Singapore practice, another is opening a new office there:
White & Case, which was one of six international law firms granted a license to practice in Singapore late last year, is ending its alliance (and, according to an unidentified source, its merger plans) with a local 10-attorney Venture Law group, reports the Am Law Daily.
“Our commitment to Singapore, and our plans for the Qualifying Foreign Law Practice license that we were recently awarded, are unchanged,” the firm says in a written statement provided to the law blog. However, it declines to specify how it now plans to handle its practice there.
Meanwhile, K&L Gates has announced today that the firm is opening a new office in Singapore, its fifth in Asia. The other four are in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei, Taiwan. A total of more than 70 attorneys work in these five offices, and some 200 lawyers firmwide are in the firm’s Asia practice group.
The Singapore launch is expected to enhance the firm’s existing technology, transportation, energy, financial services and investment fund capabilities and complement the firm’s work for existing clients based in Singapore, Southeast Asia and India on cross-border corporate work, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring transactions and international arbitration matters.
“The launch of our Singapore office during this major global economic correction is reflective of K&L Gates’ strong commitment to Asia and our confidence in the continuing growth and development in the region,” says David Tang, the firm’s Asia managing partner, in the release. “Singapore is a recognized world-class financial center and we look forward to capitalizing on the opportunities an expanded Asia presence will bring our global clients.”
Kevin Murphy, who was formerly a partner in the Singapore office of DLA Piper, will head the K&L Gates corporate and restructuring team in Singapore.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Blank Rome Opens LA Office With 5 Lateral Partners”
ABAJournal.com: “Singapore Welcomes Foreign Lawyers, Grants 6 Law Firm Licenses”
Updated at 7:15 p.m. to include link to subsequent ABAJournal.com post about Blank Rome.
