ASIA'S TOP 50 LARGEST LAW FIRMS - PLUS - | Asian Legal Business
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ASIA’S TOP 50
LARGEST LAW FIRMS
RESILIENCE IN A PANDEMIC YEAR
PLUS
CHARTING INDONESIA’S
FINTECH GROWTH
WE HEAR FROM SINGAPORE
LAW FIRM LEADERS
MCI (P) 041/02/2020 OFFSHORE LAW FIRMS
LOOK AHEAD TO 2021
issn 0219 – 6875
KDN PPS 1867/10/2015(025605)
培育商事仲裁法律后备人才
托起未来商事仲裁法律之星
18th CIETAC CUP INTERNATIONAL
COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION MOOT COMPETITION
Invitation of Judges for the CIETAC Cup
Dear Friends and Colleagues in Arbitration,
We are pleased to invite you to act as an arbitrator in the 18th
CIETAC Cup International Commercial Arbitration Moot Com-
petition (“CIETAC Cup”). This year, the oral hearings will be
conducted online during 15th-20th November, 2020.
CIETAC Cup is organized by China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“CIETAC”), receiving
support from Vis Moot, the ICC, the HKIAC and SIAC. Since 2000, CIETAC Cup has been successfully held 17
times. Last year, the 17th CIETAC Cup attracted more than 700 contestants from over 60 prestigious law schools in
Mainland China, and over 150 arbitrators, lawyers and experts from over 10 countries and regions to seat as judges.
The CIETAC CUP aims at fostering the study of international commercial arbitration and training future leaders in the
area of alternative dispute resolution by introducing international moot court, improving students’ legal accomplish-
ment, publicizing international arbitration and promoting cooperation and exchanges between domestic and foreign
arbitration communities. The CIETAC Cup is the first official Pre-Moot of the Willem C. Vis Commercial Arbitration
Moot Court, using the same set of case and arbitration rules. The competition is in English.
Those of you who
Have interest in international commercial arbitration moot competition;
Have relevant experience in international commercial arbitration, and are able to handle English cases profes-
sionally; and
Would like to perform the duty earnestly and diligently as an arbitrator during the competition.
are welcome to be the 18th CIETAC Cup Arbitrator (Judge). Please visit moot.cietac.org to register and find the
calendar of events. If you have any inquiry, please feel free to email us at moot@cietac.org.
We hereby sincerely invite you to join us this year and look forward to seeing you online this November.
Yours,
China International Economic and
Trade Arbitration Commission
Website: moot.cietac.org
CONTENTS
28
Playing catch-up
has consistently 28 past several months
COVER STORY faced change Playing catch-up to embrace change BRIEFS
each year, as new Fintech in Indonesia and transform
20 technology appears is rapidly growing, themselves, and as 3
ALB Asia Top 50 and economic buoyed by a young a result, are well- The Briefing
Largest Law Firms and political population, quick placed to tap into the
2020 developments impact Internet adoption, potential of the year 4
The coronavirus work. and innovative ahead. Forum
pandemic will Rankings by ALB, text new businesses.
doubtlessly impact by Elizabeth Beattie However, lawyers 39 6
the global legal say that policies and Law Awards Explainer
market for many regulations need coverage
years to come. FEATURES to keep up with Winners, photos 7
While in the past, this growth, so as and more from the Appointments
the addition of 14 to ensure business ALB SE Asia Law
new headcount The Singapore innovation continues Awards 2020 and the 8
has been viewed dialogue and customers are ALB Indonesia Law Q&A
as a key metric of With a most unique not left out in the Awards 2020.
growth, during year winding to cold. 11
the uncertainty of a close, law firm 48 Deals
2020, retaining leaders in Singapore 32 ALB Asia
talent, adapting look back on some Onwards, upwards Who’s Who 2020 13
smartly, harnessing of the lessons they COVID-19 has Profiles of key League Tables
technology and learnt, and also impacted the legal law firms across
flexibility are winning the ways they put industry globally, Asia, including Plus:
signs. But while both clients and and offshore law their practice area - CIETAC
the pandemic may employees in focus firms have not been strengths, notable - Walkers
be the headline, during a difficult immune. However, lawyers and contact
the legal market time. they have used the information.
W W W. LEG ALBU SINES S O N L I N E.CO M A S I A N L EG A L B U S I N E S S – N OVE MB E R 2020 1
Does size really matter?
It is a question we are asked – and we ask ourselves
– whenever we begin to compile our annual Asia Top HEAD OF LEGAL MEDIA BUSINESS,
50 rankings. The short answer is not always; when ASIA & EMERGING MARKETS
it comes to the quality of a firm, and the standard of Amantha Chia
services it provides, size is not always the best indicator. amantha.chia@thomsonreuters.com
Smaller firms have their unique advantages in that MANAGING EDITOR
they can be nimble and flexible, and offer, in some
Ranajit Dam
cases, closer, more personalized attention to their ranajit.dam@thomsonreuters.com
clients as compared to their larger counterparts. Larger
JOURNALIST
firms come with issues of their own – keeping a large
workforce happy and engaged is just Elizabeth Beattie
elizabeth.beattie@thomsonreuters.com
one of them – and I personally know a
number of lawyers who have swapped EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
a 100-lawyer firm for a 10-lawyer outfit Aparna Sai
and have been more satisfied as a result. aparna.sai@thomsonreuters.com
But size can be – and please note
COPY & WEB EDITOR
the use of can – an indicator of not just
the breadth of services provided by Rowena Muniz
rowena.muniz@thomsonreuters.com
the firm, but also how well it is doing
in a specific market. Success usually SENIOR DESIGNER
leads to expansion, and an established John Agra
brand showing stable growth can be john.agra@thomsonreuters.com
an attractive destination for younger TRAFFIC/CIRCULATION MANAGER
attorneys. Clients are also left happier
Rozidah Jambari
with the “one-stop-shop” that has all rozidah.jambari@thomsonreuters.com
the answers as opposed to firm that has
some of the answers, and then refers SALES MANAGERS
you elsewhere for others. Geographical Amy Sim
Sales Director, SE Asia, India and Japan
reach is also a bonus. So, despite the (65) 6870 3348
caveats mentioned in the previous amy.sim@thomsonreuters.com
paragraph, size does have its undeni- Felix Cheng
RANAJIT DAM able advantages, and it is those that we celebrate in Sales Manager
our list of Asia’s largest firms. (852) 2843 6943
Managing Editor, felix.cheng@thomsonreuters.com
Asian Legal Business Apart from the ALB Top 50 list, we also have
Thomson Reuters several other very topical features. These include an Krupa Dalal
Sales Manager
article on how Indonesia’s booming fintech scene (91) 22 6189 7087
needs an enlightened regulatory approach to help krupa.dalal@thomsonreuters.com
it grow, offshore lawyers’ predictions for 2021 and a Romulus Tham
Delegate Sales Executive
managing partner roundtable featuring Singapore law (65) 6870 3035
firm leaders. We hope you enjoy reading this issue, and romulus.tham@thomsonreuters.com
do not hesitate to contact me or my team if you have Steven Zhao
any questions or suggestions. Account Manager
(86) 10 6627 1360
s.zhao@thomsonreuters.com
Yvonne Cheung
Sales Director, Key Accounts and South China
(852) 2847 2003
yvonne.cheung@thomsonreuters.com
SENIOR EVENTS MANAGER
Julian Chiew
Asian Legal Business is available by subscription. Please visit www.legalbusinessonline.com for details. julian.chiew@thomsonreuters.com
Asian Legal Business has an audited average circulation of 11,402 as of 30 September 2016.Copyright is reserved throughout. No part of this publication can be
reproduced in whole or part without the express permission of the editor. Contributions are invited, but copies of work should be kept, as Asian Legal Business AWARDS MANAGER
can accept no responsibility for loss.
MCI (P) 041/02/2020 Caryl Aquino
issn 0219 – 6875 mary.aquino@thomsonreuters.com
KDN PPS 1867/10/2015(025605)
Thomson Reuters
18 Science Park Drive Singapore 118229 / T (65) 6775 5088 / F (65) 6333 0900
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www.thomsonreuters.com
2 ASIAN LEG AL BU S I N ES S – N OV EM B ER 20 20 W W W. L EG A L B U S I NE S S O NLI NE .COM
THE BRIEFING : YOUR MONTHLY NEED -TO -KNOW
SG LAUNCHES
IN THE NEWS
ROADMAP FOR
LEGALTECH
UK consultant lawyer firm
nexa law has launched a virtual
GC platform that brings together
former GCs. The nexaGC platform
77% - Percentage of “stand-out lawyers” aims to assist businesses that are
who say that when it comes to remote Singapore’s Ministry of Law growing rapidly but are unable
working, the number one challenge to the (MinLaw) has unveiled the Legal
firm’s bottom line is difficulty in developing to justify the cost of establishing
business, according to a survey by Acritas.
Industry Technology and Innovation their own in-house legal
Roadmap (TIR) to assist the legal departments or of hiring firms
profession in adopting technology. for the service.
The TIR aims to “promote
SUCCESSFUL LAW FIRMS
innovation, technology adoption and
development in Singapore’s legal
UNDERSTAND THEIR industry in the next decade,” MinLaw
said in a press release. Catering to 63 PERCENT
CLIENTS’ BUSINESS both law firms and in-house legal
departments, the TIR “highlights
The 2020 Dynamic Law Firms key trends that industry players Increase in Asia-Pacific mergers and
Report, produced by Thomson should be aware of in deciding how acquisitions in Q3 of this year, according to
Refinitiv data. The surge was driven by
Reuters Peer Monitor with best to forge ahead amidst a time technology companies and conglomerates
key insights from Acritas, finds of disruption and uncertainty.” The making strategic moves as they emerge
that the most successful firms TIR also offers practical advice on from the pandemic.
in terms of revenue per lawyer, the types of solutions that can assist
overall firm profit, and average these players in mapping out their
profit margin, are more likely tech adoption plan.
to be recognized for having IN THE NEWS
business savvy lawyers who
understand their client’s business
QUOTE UNQUOTE
and deliver strategic, practical
advice. They also have partners
who lead a strong team, which
helps to justify the increased
“WE’RE GOING TO DLA Piper has launched a global
online environmental, social, and
leverage in clients’ eyes, and PLAY UNTIL THE governance (ESG) portal to “help
are more effective at attracting
higher-value work through a WHISTLE BLOWS.” companies around the world
transition to and thrive in a more
brand proposition that creates sustainable future.” The firm says
confidence in their ability to A lawyer for outgoing U.S. President
the portal will provide views and
Donald Trump tells CNN that Trump’s
handle complex M&A or litigation. legal team is looking for enough evidence insights of sustainability and
The report can be found at to build cases aiming to cast doubt on the ESG-related topics from thought
www.legalexecutiveinstitute.com. validity of the presidential election outcome. leaders around the world.
W W W. LEG ALBU SINES S O N L I N E.CO M A S I A N L EG A L B U S I N E S S – N OVE MB E R 2020 3
BRIEFS
FORUM but ultimately, having the right people is most
important.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE ROHAN RAICHAUDHURI, regional general
counsel APAC and company secretary, Sigfox
We have had time to get used to working from
home (WFH) during the pandemic, and the crit-
During a year unlike any other, the pressure has been on ical factor for me has been management of
time. WFH has posed unique challenges for me,
in-house lawyers to lead their teams through uncharted
amplified by young children. Multiple aspects,
territory. But it’s not just about the work — lawyers are also including routine, discipline and enhanced fitness
ensuring their staff emerge ready to tackle an increasingly played (and continues to play) a vital role. I’ve had
challenging legal landscape. to increasingly prioritise my matters (requesting
inputs from clients on expected timelines), be
prepared with specific queries for a well-struc-
tured and efficiently strategised conference or
video call to expedite the process and ensure
HOW HAS THE IN-HOUSE ROLE business-critical items are not affected. I echo
ADAPTED SINCE THE PANDEMIC our company’s policy of placing significance on
employee well-being. I’ve organised and partic-
BEGAN, AND HOW ARE YOU ipated in conference and video calls frequently
ENSURING YOUR TEAM DOESN’T through the pandemic with colleagues based in
the region and globally covering multiple topics
SUFFER FROM BURNOUT? outside of work, including mental health. Open
channels of communication are paramount and
with improved access to technology communi-
cations platforms, we are all better able to stay
VINCENT NG, general counsel, Klook in touch and cover for and support each other
In-house lawyers have had to become even during such an unprecedented period during our
more agile, adaptable and empathetic since lifetime. There is light at the end of the tunnel
the pandemic. As the world entered the new with a possible vaccine in the horizon – however,
normal, our customer expectations and busi- let us pray for the more than 1.1million families
ness demands also changed. Our legal team who have lost loved ones, while we must continue
has had to be creative and take on an entrepre- to take precautions and stay safe!
NG neurial mindset to support the rapid adoption
of new ideas in our business. For instance, we PARVEEN MAHTANI, chief legal officer,
launched Klook Live!, which uses live-streaming Mahindra Lifespaces
as a channel to engage with our customers. Since the pandemic began, there has been a
We’ve also had to be empathetic not only with digital acceleration. Conferences are now organ-
customers, suppliers and service providers, but ised through Microsoft Teams and documents are
first and foremost, with our colleagues who being shared through tools such as WeTransfer.
are facing business pressures and challenges. One has to re-evaluate the value proposition and
Empathy and frequent communications are the automate processes to be able to handle the
RAICHAUDHURI key to ensuring our colleagues are doing fine. increased complexities. In a time of distance,
Before the pandemic hit, we were already fully we have to get close to the business and under-
set up for working and collaborating remotely. stand its priorities. I organise knowledge-sharing
Since we set up the legal team in 2018, we have sessions and online team-bonding activities to
been having weekly team meetings via Zoom keep the team constantly energised and moti-
with our 14 colleagues across five offices, so that vated. People need a sense of belonging and
everybody feels engaged and gets to hear what purpose. We must facilitate communication of
other team members are working on. When we the achievements within the company and cele-
began working from home this year, we increased brate the smaller successes so that they continue
MAHTANI the frequency of manager one-on-one catch- to feel connected with the company.
ups with team members. We are also very fortu-
nate to have a group of empathetic managers
and motivated colleagues. Technology helps,
4 ASIAN LEG AL BU S I N ES S – N OV EM B ER 20 20 W W W. L EG A L B U S I NE S S O NLI NE .COM
BRIEFS
STRUCTURAL CHANGE REQUIRED TO MAKE
other female directors act, how others
contribute to the company”.
To prepare women for board-level
JAPAN’S BOARDROOMS MORE INCLUSIVE
leadership, there needs to be sufficient
gender representation at a management
level. Recently, a Reuters poll conducted
between September and October found
that 17 percent of Japanese firms had
Corporate Japan’s lack of gender no female managers, while 71 percent
diversity is a widely known issue. While of firms said women accounted for less
investors and the government have been than 10 percent of management.
pushing for greater female representa- But while certainly companies are Changing Japanese corporate
tion on company boards, women only pushing to ensure they meet investor- culture is still highly challenging, says
reportedly represent just six percent and government-driven targets, Koshi Koshi, but companies and individuals
of board members at listed Japanese believes it is important to ensure can lead by example.
companies today, even though it repre- companies do understand the impor- “Since getting elected as an outside
sents a modicum of progress compares tant reasons that underpin encouraging corporate director in March, I have been
to three percent back in 2016. female leadership. asking company executives and other
Since Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former “My view is that Japanese compa- board members questions related to
prime minister, launched his govern- nies are trying to have more female the status of female managers and their
ment’s “womenomics” drive some directors, but some companies do not strategy in regards to promoting female
seven years ago to encourage female fully understand why they have to do managers. I believe that female board
leadership, companies have sought to that,” says Koshi. “Certain foreign inves- members are responsible to serve as a
encourage greater representation. But tors strongly ask companies to have reminder to corporate Japan that diver-
progress has been slow, for a variety of female directors, and this call is also sity is an important issue of corporate
factors. being echoed by Japanese investors. governance.”
Naomi Koshi, a former mayor of The Japanese government When speaking to
Otsu City who is currently a partner at is also active in changing employees, Koshi said she
Japanese law firm Miura & Partners, has policies and laws. Finally, gained feedback about the
started campaigning to improve gender the Tokyo Stock Exchange impact of her presence:
diversity in the country’s boardrooms this is helping by introducing “Some female employees
year. In her experience, women can play a new corporate govern- said its good I’m on the
a significant role as company directors. ance code under which board, because earlier it
“I believe we can bring a different point gender diversity in corpo- was all men. With the pres-
of view,” she says. rate boards is required.” ence of a woman, they feel
But Koshi tells ALB that struc- But while Japanese encouraged.”
tural barriers must still be tackled. She companies are making While more female
mentions an example from when she was efforts to be compliant, leaders are clearly needed,
mayor of Otsu, where a common issue for says Koshi, there is still when it comes to making
working mothers was the inability to find some way to go before N AO M I KO S HI a structural shift, it’s
childcare. “In 2005-2009, 60 percent there is a true shift in also important that male
of women quit their jobs after having a mindset. There are also challenges leaders are supportive and inclusive,
child because they couldn’t find nurs- when it comes to ensuring that women says Koshi.
eries,” she says. “So, I focused on that in power are sufficiently supported. “Male directors must understand
issue, and over eight years I built more “Based on my experience as mayor, I the importance of different viewpoint
than 50 nurseries for approximately was almost always minority as a woman, of female directors and more diversi-
3000 children. It had an almost instant such as only woman surrounded by fied and inclusive board can make the
impact… the number of working mothers older men. That kind of situation some- company more innovative,” Koshi says.
with children under the age of five has times made it difficult that my voice be
increased by 70 percent”. heard. That would also happen in the Westlaw Japan and Miura & Partners
She feels this type of problem- boardroom,” says Koshi, explaining that will be hosting a virtual seminar led by
solving can be applied to corporate these issues can appear when there is a Koshi on Dec. 3 called ‘Women on Board’
culture in Japan. “They can change their lack of understanding around existing for Japanese corporates and the legal
culture, and not only their corporate barriers. “We need more female directors industry. More details can be found here:
culture, but also their corporate values in the boardroom. Also, female directors https://www.westlawjapan.com/event/
and outcomes,” says Koshi. should share good practice to know how premium/201203.html
W W W. LEG ALBU SINES S O N L I N E.CO M A S I A N L EG A L B U S I N E S S – N OVE MB E R 2020 5
BRIEFS
EXPLAINER He adds that within his circles, large amount of revenue and it’s
“everybody” is keenly looking at this a large amount of revenue — but
COULD VODAFONE’S
award. “I think it has garnered a lot it also gives an opening for many
of interest from both the legal and other companies that may be sitting
the business community,” says Nair. on the sidelines, to jump into an
INDIA WIN PAVE
The award also highlights how arbitration with the government of
India’s arbitration scene is maturing. India,” says Nair. “So, for the govern-
“In the large metro cities, it is used ment, it is going to set a precedent
THE WAY FOR
prominently,” says Nair. “While in if they don’t challenge it.”
the past, there have been some Although, the reasons for
problems around delays, increas- appealing it might be less than
FUTURE CLAIMS?
ingly companies prefer arbitration rational. “The government of India is
because its faster and enforcement the largest litigator. They will file an
is much better, at least in places appeal for everything under the sun.
like Delhi and Mumbai. “I think we Therefore, unless someone really
are seeing a very fast tilt towards impresses upon the government of
Telecom giant Vodafone Group accepting arbitration as a priority India, and says ‘you have no case’,
recently won an international arbitra- mode of resolving disputes.” it is quite likely the government will
tion case against the Indian government, challenge it,” he adds. “For them
bringing one the country’s most high- WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE to take a pragmatic decision that
profile disputes — a $2 billion tax claim — R AMIFIC ATIONS OF THIS they will not appeal in this particular
to a close. According to an international AWARD? case — I really doubt it.”
arbitration tribunal in The Hague, India’s Nair predicts that the award is likely Finally, there is the enforce-
government has breached an investment to spur similar actions in the future. ment issue. “We’re also waiting to
treaty agreement between India and the “This was an award that was given see how resistant the government
Netherlands with its imposition of a tax in response to retrospective tax, will be when it comes to Vodafone
liability on Vodafone, Reuters reported. so in that aspect, this will open a trying to enforce this award in India.”
The tribunal has directed India to pay floodgate for all those companies “Unlike commercial arbitration
$5.47 million to Vodafone in compensa- that have suffered the same fate. awards, there is no specific statutory
tion for its legal costs. There are already other investment regime for enforcement of invest-
The ruling concludes one of the treaty arbitrations underway where ment treaty arbitration awards,”
most controversial disputes in India the retrospective tax measure has Nair says.
under international treaty agreements, been challenged,” he says. He points out that the Indian
and while the country’s finance ministry “Though this is an international Arbitration and Conciliation Act,
has said it will study the award, lawyers award and binding only between the 1996 does not provide for this, so
and businesses in the world’s most popu- parties, it will certainly have some- should the government challenge
lous democracy are studying the latest thing of a persuasive value, so even enforcement, “we would be in new
developments carefully. And the reason companies that are sitting on the territory”.
for that is India’s government is currently sidelines could be emboldened to “This has not happened previ-
embroiled in more than a dozen similar take action based on this award,” ously as India has complied with
cases against companies over tax claims Nair believes. investment treaty awards, and not
and contract cancellations. Given that the government challenged enforcement,” he adds.
of India is a “big litigator”, the Once the court issues an order,
HOW HAS THE NEWS BEEN ruling will be “a very welcome step Nair is hopeful the government
RECEIVED D OMESTIC ALLY ? for companies that have had tax will comply on its own, without
Dheeraj Nair, a partner at J. Sagar disputes or are having tax disputes challenging enforcement “as
Associates, says that this is a good in India,” he adds. non-compliance would send out a
step from the investors’ perspec- negative message to the investor
tive, “because as an investor, there WILL THE GOVERNMENT community globally”.
is a sense of comfort that they can CONTEST IT ? “But for reasons mentioned
actually get an award in an arbitra- Nair believes that there’s a good above, the decision of not chal-
tion tribunal against a sovereign... possibility the award will be chal- lenging will have to come from the
Companies and investors look at lenged. “The government is going top most authority,” he adds.
India as a very lucrative option, as to be in a bit of quandary with this
long as they feel that their money award, because if they decide not
is safe.” to challenge it, then they lose a
6 ASIAN LEG AL BU S I N ES S – N OV EM B ER 20 20 W W W. L EG A L B U S I NE S S O NLI NE .COM
BRIEFS
SINGAPORE’S A&G OPENS
APPOINTMENTS
OFFICE IN VIETNAM
Singapore’s largest law firm
Allen & Gledhill has opened an office
in Vietnam, making it the second Big
Four firm to have a physical presence
in the latter country.
Located in Ho Chi Minh City,
the new office is led by partner Oh
YVONNE FOO TIMOTHY HAYNES NITESH JAIN Hsiu-Hau. It will provide clients with
L E AV I N G L E AV I N G L E AV I N G legal services in areas such as M&A,
Clyde & Co Walkers Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
banking, finance, capital markets,
JOINING JOINING JOINING
Harry Elias Partnership Kobre & Kim Trilegal corporate and commercial matters,
P R AC T I C E P R AC T I C E P R AC T I C E energy, infrastructure and projects,
Construction Insolvency & Restructuring Disputes and international arbitration.
L O C AT I O N L O C AT I O N L O C AT I O N In 2014, fellow Singapore Big
Singapore Hong Kong Mumbai
Four firm Rajah & Tann established
a presence in Vietnam following an
association with local law firm LCT
Lawyers. In the same year, RHTLaw,
another Singaporean firm, entered
into a tie-up with Vietnam’s PBC
Partners. In 2016, PBC merged with
RHT to form RHTLaw Vietnam.
SUNG UK PARK SEUNG-KOOK SYNN PAUL JP TEO BAKER BOTTS LATEST TO
ANNOUNCE BEIJING CLOSURE
L E AV I N G L E AV I N G L E AV I N G
Kim & Chang SK Group Baker McKenzie
JOINING JOINING JOINING
Yoon & Yang Yoon & Yang Mayer Brown
P R AC T I C E
Energy-focused U.S. law firm
P R AC T I C E P R AC T I C E
M&A M&A Arbitration Baker Botts has become the latest
L O C AT I O N L O C AT I O N L O C AT I O N firm to announce plans to shutter its
Seoul Seoul Singapore Beijing office. The 13-year-old office
currently has five partners and three
associates.
With that, Baker Botts becomes
the second American and fourth inter-
national law firm this year, after Vinson
& Elkins, Stephenson Harwood and
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP),
to depart from the Chinese capital.
According to a statement from
managing partner John Martin, the
JEREMY WHITE NICK WILLIAMS MICHAEL WONG decision was “not taken lightly,” but
L E AV I N G L E AV I N G POSITION
“in the best interests of the firm and
Baker McKenzie K&L Gates Asia-Pacific Chair its clients.”
JOINING JOINING P R AC T I C E The firm also reportedly reduced
Morrison & Foerster Hogan Lovells M&A its headcount by 50 people globally.
P R AC T I C E P R AC T I C E FIRM NAME
Corporate Restructuring Baker McKenzie
In China, Baker Botts continues
L O C AT I O N L O C AT I O N L O C AT I O N
to maintain an office in Hong Kong.
Tokyo Singapore Taipei That office opened in 2005.
W W W. LEG ALBU SINES S O N L I N E.CO M A S I A N L EG A L B U S I N E S S – N OVE MB E R 2020 7
BRIEFS
Q&A ALB: You’ve been recognised for your
work around diversity and inclusion.
‘OUR PEOPLE EXPECT TO BE TREATED WITH
What are some of the initiatives in
place at Freshfields, and what is the
secret to creating a firm culture that
RESPECT, CONSIDERATION AND COURTESY’
supports this?
DAWSON: Freshfields is a people busi-
ness and our people expect to be treated
with respect, consideration and cour-
Georgia Dawson, Asia managing partner at Freshfields tesy. One of our key strengths as a
global organisation lies in our diverse
Bruckhaus Deringer, was recently named as the firm’s new
perspectives and ideas. We must lead by
senior partner. This made her the first woman to lead the firm in example, working as a team, supporting
its lengthy history, and also made Freshfields the first Magic Circle one another and giving credit where it
firm to appoint a female leader. She tells Asian Legal Business is due. These and other principles are
about her plans to transform the storied firm. set out in a framework known as “Being
Freshfields” that guides our standards of
behaviour to build the organisation that
ALB: You have announced that you when almost all our people worked we all want. We encourage honest feed-
expect Freshfields to evolve. Can you remotely. I was hugely impressed by back and provide a safe space to speak
tell us a little about what this evolu- how well our IT colleagues managed up if someone fails to observe these prin-
tion will look like? that transformation, and also how our ciples. We empower our people through
DAWSON: It is vital that Freshfields people adjusted and embraced collabo- various employee networks (for women,
is an organisation where people want ration tools on an unprecedented scale. black and minority ethnic colleagues,
to work, and where they feel they can An illustration of this was those with disabili-
reach their full potential. I think there the 14-billion-pound ($18 ties, LGBT+ and others)
are three key elements to achieving billion) Mastercard litiga- to provide construc-
this: Inclusiveness – creating a work- tion in the UK, which was tive feedback and ideas.
place where our people feel they belong; run entirely by remote We nurture our diverse
engagement – ensuring our people feel teams and culminated talent through spon-
there is a good dialogue across the in a virtual hearing in sorship and mentoring.
organisation on how we can continu- the UK Supreme Court. This year, we piloted
ously improve; and empowerment – We are doing what we a reverse mentoring
giving people the tools, the know-how can to maintain face-to- programme which I was
and the confidence they need to achieve face interaction internally pleased to take part in.
their full potential. Combining these and with clients, albeit My mentor and I freely
elements to create a common purpose over Microsoft Teams “We are doing what exchanged ideas and
and a shared value system for all our and similar platforms, we can to maintain I found it particularly
people is something that the new lead- and moving forward that face-to-face interaction useful, for example, to
ership team will be focused on in the looks set to continue. internally and with learn whether our efforts
coming years. Focusing on attracting clients, albeit over to support colleagues
and retaining talent post- Microsoft Teams and during the current
ALB: The pandemic has led to changes COVID will also be impor- similar platforms, and pandemic had been
in Freshfields’ working culture, such as tant. It is clear that there moving forward that effective and how we
flexibility in some offices. I’m curious are new skills, viewpoints looks set to continue.” might improve. We also
to know if there are any other COVID- and backgrounds that G E O RG I A DAW S O N attach importance to
influenced changes we might see in are going to be benefi- allies who are not part of
the business going forward? cial to advance the legal profession in any minority group – we believe they
DAWSON: COVID-19 brought about an the years ahead, and we will be looking play a key role in championing inclusion
expedited need for agility and meant closely at how we bring together teams, for diverse colleagues. We frequently
that we had to adapt to working virtu- marshal our knowledge and resources pool efforts and ideas with clients, which
ally practically overnight. It was the and deliver end-to-end solutions to leads to thoughtful discussions about
first time in the firm’s 277-year history clients. both internal engagement and support,
and also how we can work together in
our communities to lead change for the
better.
8 ASIAN LEG AL BU S I N ES S – N OV EM B ER 20 20 W W W. L EG A L B U S I NE S S O NLI NE .COMBROUGH T TO YOU BY CIETAC
Strengthening cooperation and innovation, turning challenges into opportunities:
Reflections on the development of international arbitration in the time of COVID-19
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has an unprecedented the CIETAC online arbitration hearing platform. Arbitration
impact on the global economy and poses severe challenges participants from the United States, Canada, Australia,
to international dispute resolution. The pandemic has Sweden, Hong Kong, and nearly 40 cities in the mainland
forced all international arbitration practitioners to think have participated in the online hearings.
over how to turn crises into opportunities.
Meanwhile, drawing on the unique advantages of having a
Strengthening coordination and collaboration in the inter- network of sub-commissions and cooperative institutions
national arbitration community becomes necessary and around the world, and the integration of the headquarters
particularly important amid the pandemic. The COVID-19 and branches, CIETAC has explored a variety of arbitration
pandemic broke out in China in late January this year. hearing modes include online, offline, and a combination
China International Economic and Trade Arbitration of online and offline hearings, so that participants in
Commission (CIETAC) acted promptly to contact the different jurisdictions, time zones and places are able to
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law join the arbitration hearings in real time, simultaneously,
(UNCITRAL), and more than 80 related international and without delay, and the complex and even tailored
arbitration institutions and organizations, explaining the Wang Chengjie arbitration hearing needs of different cases are met. In
Chinese government’s decision and deployment on the Vice Chairman & Secretary General June this year, an international arbitration case accepted
prevention and control of the pandemic, and briefing E: wangchengjie@cietac.org by the CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center with the
CIETAC’s measures responding to the pandemic, thereby seat of arbitration in Hong Kong was heard using the
paving the way for Chinese enterprises to participate in CIETAC combination of online and offline approach, with partici-
arbitration activities during the pandemic. During this 6/F, CCOIC Building, 2 Huapichang Hutong, pants in four cities of two countries in two continents.
period, nearly 40 international arbitration institutions, Xicheng District, Beijing 100035
including the UNCITRAL Working Group III, the Singapore T: 010 8221 7788, 6464 6688 Furthermore, to satisfy the needs of arbitration in the
International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), and the Asian F: 010 8221 7766, 6464 3500 post-pandemic era, CIETAC steps up efforts to further
International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), sent letters to E: info@cietac.org strengthen the IT construction of the case management
CIETAC, expressing their supports for China in fighting W: www.cietac.org system, designing a comprehensive network covering
against the pandemic and their confidence in China’s arbitration tribunals, parties concerned and arbitral insti-
victory over the pandemic. In mid-March, the pandemic tutions to build an “expressway” for hearing cases online,
has spread with alarming speed globally. CIETAC took in filing cases during the pandemic. Statistical data show and promote online arbitration all-round services, so as
immediate actions to contact more than 50 international that online case filing has become an important channel to provide the parties with more convenient and efficient
arbitration institutions and organizations, and provided for parties to submit arbitration applications to CIETAC, arbitration services.
assistance and supplies to more than 30 institutions and a total of 693 cases have been filed through the online
according to their needs and worked together with the system from January to October this year. The number of Because of the pandemic, arbitration institutions need
international arbitration community to fight against the cases accepted by CIETAC has not been negatively affected to assume more social responsibilities, and provide more
pandemic. At the same time, CIETAC joined the Arbitration by the pandemic. As of October 31, 2020, CIETAC accepted risk prevention suggestions for arbitration participants,
and COVID-19 Initiative jointly initiated by 13 major interna- 2,883 cases this year, indicating a year-on-year increase of so as to prevent disputes beforehand and minimize
tional arbitration institutions and organizations including 6.7%. Among the cases accepted this year, 615 are foreign possible losses. In this regard, CIETAC launched a legal
the International Centre for Settlement of Investment related cases, representing a year-on-year increase of risk prevention column, “共克时艰, 玉汝于成” (“Working
Disputes (ICSID) of the World Bank, the International 19.19%, with parties coming from 70 countries and regions. together to overcome difficulties”), on its official website
Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) of the American and WeChat account on January 30 this year, and
Arbitration Association (AAA), the German Arbitration (2) Comprehensively using technologies to advance the organized top arbitrators and experts to use their expertise
Institute (DIS), and the Vienna International Arbitral arbitration procedures. In April this year, CIETAC issued to compose over 100 industry observations and early-
Centre (VIAC), to try our best to actively participate in the Guidelines on Proceeding with Arbitration Actively and warning reports with regard to the analysis of legal issues
international cooperation in response to the pandemic. Properly during the COVID-19 Pandemic, advocating that faced by ten major industries, including international
In addition, building on the Beijing Joint Declaration the arbitration tribunals and the parties concerned should trade, finance, construction projects, insurance, and pan-
of the Belt and Road Arbitration Institutions issued in comprehensively use online case filing, electronic service, entertainment, the performance risks of contractual trans-
tandem with more than 40 domestic and foreign dispute online arbitration hearing, online mediation and other actions, and previous case studies and industry response
resolution institutions in 2019, CIETAC continues to roll out procedures and measures, and adopt technologies such recommendations and in-depth researches, and the
clearer and more specific cooperation arrangements and as electronic signatures and electronic seals of arbitrators, forecasts on key industries, types of disputes and issues
promote the development of diversified dispute resolution so as to minimize the impact of the pandemic and actively involving the pandemic situation and relevant prevention
mechanisms globally, to make positive contributions to and steadily advance the arbitration procedures. From and control measures. Furthermore, CIETAC carries out
the development of international arbitration in response January to October this year, CIETAC has concluded online and offline public benefit activities including
to the pandemic. 2076 cases, among which, significantly more cases were training, lectures, visits and the “CIETAC Live” lectures,
concluded by means of document-only examinations or and holds international high-end conferences such as the
Another lesson we’ve learnt during the pandemic is that settlements compared with previous years. China Arbitration Summit 2020, with a total of nearly 2
innovation by using the rising digital technology is one million participants. With these high-quality activities,
of the ways we must take in international arbitration in (3) Adopting diversified online hearing approaches. CIETAC hopes to find novel and practical approaches
order to overcome difficulties and promote the orderly and CIETAC developed a smart platform for arbitration to effectively promote the development of the industry.
efficient operation of arbitration procedures in difficult hearings in April this year, and released the CIETAC
times. CIETAC made full use of the Internet technology Provisions on Virtual Hearings (Trail) to resolve the COVID-19 has spread worldwide in 2020. The international
and adopted a series of important measures to tackle procedural and technical issues of online hearings for arbitration is faced with huge crisis and challenges, but
challenges during the pandemic: users, including identity verification of arbitration partici- vitality potential and new opportunities are also found
pants, electronic evidence submission and display, online in responding to this crisis. It is time for us to reconsider
(1) The further improvement and wide application of online simultaneous record, electronic signatures by scanning QR and uphold the flexibility, confidentiality, procedural
case filing. At the beginning of the outbreak, CIETAC code, arbitration tribunal deliberations, “back-to-back” legitimacy and party autonomy principles in arbitration
adopted the online case filing system developed in 2019 mediation, among others. With the procedural norms and procedures. By strengthening international cooperation,
to enable online case filing functions such as real-time technical guarantee, all arbitration hearing participants advancing technological innovation, and assuming social
consultation, identity verification, and online submission of can participate in online hearings “without leaving their responsibility, the international arbitration will be led from
arbitration documents, facilitating the parties concerned homes.” Up to now, 216 cases have been heard through this “worst times” to a “better era”.
W W W. LEG ALBU SINES S O N L I N E.CO M A S I A N L EG A L B U S I N E S S – N OVE MB E R 2020 9BRIEFS
HONG KONG CAPITAL MARKETS PROVE
for U.S. listings by Chinese companies,
notwithstanding some of the regulatory
headwinds,” Lin notes.
RESILIENT AMID PANDEMIC UNCERTAINTY
And even though the pandemic
has slowed a lot of business activity to
a crawl, the IPO markets in Hong Kong
and New York are “generally quite busy,”
says Lin.
Despite a raging pandemic, in of reasons why you see a strong pipeline “In Hong Kong, we have seen
the first half of 2020, the Hong Kong of Chapter 19C transactions.” Chapter 19C HKEx secondary listings as
IPO market outperformed last year, But, while it might these factors well as a very strong pipeline of Chapter
boasting 64 new listings with funds may work in Hong Kong’s favour, the 18A biotech IPOs,” observes Lin.
raised reaching $87.5 billion, according traditional route for Chinese companies Meanwhile, further afield in the U.S.,
to PwC. Based on KPMG data, at the end listing in the U.S. has not entirely slowed notwithstanding the U.S.–China tensions
of the third quarter, Hong Kong ranks down — despite some ambiguity. and risk of financial de-coupling, “we’ve
third globally in terms of IPO fundraising “There is still some concern around seen a very solid year of IPO listings
and number of listings in the year to whether the U.S. government will imple- by Chinese companies, but also Asian
date. In part, this upward trajectory is ment rules that would eventually result sponsors pursuing SPAC IPOs, one of the
due to the trend of U.S.-listed China- in de-listings, and for some time compa- hottest trends in U.S. ECM,” Lin notes.
based companies carrying out secondary nies hesitated and weighed different Since COVID-19 first hit and the
listings in Hong Kong, and this trend is options, but we still see a lot of compa- financial markets showed volatility, the
continuing to gather steam. nies pushing ahead with U.S. IPOs and picture has improved, with the overall
Headlines suggest a healthy, listings — this has been a record time market “very robust,” says Lin.
and somewhat ground-breaking few There are a couple of reasons for
months ahead. Even though China this, among them is the relatively low
killed the hopes of Alibaba-backed yield for other types of investment, “so
fintech company Ant Group’s plans for there is a tremendous investor appetite
a $35-billion simultaneous IPO in Hong for equity, particularly in the growth
Kong and Shanghai, Reuters reports areas of technology, such as biotech in
that ridesharing app Didi is said to be Hong Kong,” Lin says.
weighing up a 2021 Hong Kong IPO “I think from the perspective of
valued at more than $60 billion. companies, there’s a real rush to capture
As Chinese companies seek to hedge the window, because everyone under-
their positions with a secondary listing stands that financial markets can be
venue, concerned about the impact of cyclical and that this is a very good time
U.S. regulators potentially imposing new to raise capital because the markets are
rules that force the delisting of these very receptive,” he adds.
firms, Hong Kong has emerged as “a This has led to restlessness from
natural place” to-do list, says James C. clients, who are eager to “get their
Lin, partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell. IPOs done”, in part, due to concerns
But other aspects make the city around what will happen next year with
an attractive harbour for such listings. uncertainty and “concerns about global
“For one thing, they’re closer to their macroeconomic factors and lingering
customer base,” says Lin, adding that effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and
this enables companies to be closer to whether that’s going to have a macro
the people “who use their products and adjustment to slow down the markets,
understand their business.” says Lin. “I think this combination of
There’s also “a lot of liquidity in factors is leading to a lot of activity in
Hong Kong, including potential bene- IPOs and general capital raising.”
fits from Stock Connect and southbound With the next year fast bearing
investor money” to consider, notes Lin. down, these trends are unlikely to end
“In the end, secondary listings in Hong anytime soon.
Kong has helped companies raise their “Based with what we’re seeing in
profiles with investors closer to their the market, and in the pipeline, we think
home base and potentially an increase there’s still a very strong interest,” says
in their valuation. So those are number Lin.
10 ASIAN LEG AL BU S I N ES S – N OV EM B ER 20 20 W W W. L EG A L B U S I NE S S O NLI NE .COMBRIEFS
INDIA’S L&L EMBROILED IN
Rajiv Luthra and Mohit Saraf, 1. However, the mediation proved fruitless, and
equity partners at India’s L&L litigation resumed.
PUBLIC SPAT BETWEEN
Partners, have been involved in a Where this leaves the lawyers is not yet clear,
public tussle over differences related although media reports said that L&L partners
EQUITY PARTNERS
to dilution of shareholding at one Apurva Jayant and Samarth Gupta had quit the
of the country’s largest full-service firm, and that 23 lawyers had joined Saraf’s new
law firms. equity.
Luthra and Saraf currently own 66.6 percent L&L has not yet responded to ALB's request
and 33.4 percent of shares in the firm, respectively, for comment.
but have differing ideas when it comes to freeing Initially called Luthra & Luthra Law Offices,
up equity to admit more partners into the equity L&L Partners was founded by Luthra in 1990, with
partnership, according to reports. Saraf joining the firm in 1995. The firm has more
This led to a lawsuit at the Delhi High Court, than 70 partners across four offices – New Delhi,
which ordered both parties to mediate until Nov. Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
DEALS
$9 BLN
SK Hynix’ acquisition of
$2.1 BLN $1.45 BLN $1 BLN
Brookfield Asset Shimao Services’ GIC and TPG’s
Intel’s NAND SSD Management’s Hong Kong IPO Investment in
Deal Type: M&A acquisition of Deal Type: IPO Reliance Retail
Firms: Bae Kim & Lee; RMZ Corp assets Firm: Allen & Overy Ventures
Kim & Chang; Skadden Deal Type: M&A Jurisdictions: China, Deal Type: M&A
Arps Slate Meagher & Firms: AZB & Partners; Hong Kong Firms: Cyril Amarchand
Flom Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas; Davis Polk
Jurisdictions: South Mangaldas; Khaitan & & Wardwell
Korea, U.S. Co Jurisdictions: India,
Jurisdictions: Canada, Singapore, U.S.
India
$853 MLN $751 MLN $451 MLN $371 MLN
Mubadala Investment’s ADIA’s Investment Everest Medicines’ IPO Genor Biopharma’s
investment in in Reliance Retail Deal Type: IPO Hong Kong IPO
Reliance Retail Ventures Firms: Kirkland & Ellis; Deal Type: IPO
Ventures Deal Type: M&A Skadden Arps Slate Firms: Freshfields
Deal Type: M&A Firms: Cyril Amarchand Meagher & Flom; Tian Bruckhaus Deringer;
Firms: Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas; Davis Polk Yuan Law Firm; Zhong Skadden Arps Slate
Mangaldas; Davis Polk & Wardwell Lun Law Firm Meagher & Flom
& Wardwell; Skadden Jurisdictions: India, Jurisdictions: China, Jurisdictions: China,
Arps Slate Meagher & UAE Hong Kong Hong Kong
Flom
Jurisdictions: India,
UAE
W W W. LEG ALBU SINES S O N L I N E.CO M A S I A N L EG A L B U S I N E S S – N OVE MB E R 2020 11BRIEFS
N O RT H A S I A A N D S O U T H E A S T A S I A / S O U T H A S I A L E AG U E TA B L E S
North Asia Announced M&A Legal Rankings North Asia Announced M&A Financial Rankings
Value Market Value Market
Rank Legal Advisor Deals Rank Legal Advisor Deals
($MLN) Share ($MLN) Share
1 Nishimura & Asahi 86,750.6 112 10.7 1 Morgan Stanley 153,388.5 54 18.8
2 Mori Hamada & Matsumoto 81,721.3 95 10.0 2 China International Capital Co 136,082.5 64 16.7
3 White & Case LLP 66,152.6 24 8.1 3 Goldman Sachs & Co 128,049.2 39 15.7
4 Sullivan & Cromwell 60,091.8 10 7.4 4 Nomura 105,142.0 74 12.9
5 Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 57,483.9 19 7.1 5 Deloitte 62,066.3 86 7.6
6 Latham & Watkins 47,252.3 34 5.8 6 UBS 60,544.1 17 7.4
7 Nakamura, Tsunoda & Matsumoto 46,648.5 4 5.7 7 China Securities Co Ltd 51,833.0 12 6.4
8 Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton 44,343.2 5 5.4 8 Plutus Consulting Co Ltd 48,999.8 38 6.0
9 Morrison & Foerster 43,174.0 16 5.3 9* The Raine Group LLC 40,000.0 1 4.9
10 Fangda Partners 41,104.6 94 5.1 9* Zaoui & Co 40,000.0 1 4.9
(*tie) Based on Rank Value including Net Debt of announced M&A deals (excluding withdrawn M&A) (*tie) Based on Rank Value including Net Debt of announced M&A deals (excluding withdrawn M&A)
Any North Asia Involvement Announced M&A Activity - Quarterly Trend*
Series1 Series2
Rank Value US$ Billion
440 403.0 5,000
373.7 353.8
No. of Transactions
324.2 4,000
340 279.8 280.3
268.4 256.1 255.1 273.8
252.9 243.9 242.8 248.5 3,000
218.7 229.6 219.4 197.4
240 200.6 191.5
168.0 173.8 176.3
158.9 167.5 2,000
149.7142.8 137.4
122.8
140 93.5115.2 106.5
1,000
40 0
1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 3Q 15 1Q 16 3Q 16 1Q 17 3Q 17 1Q 18 3Q 18 1Q 19 3Q 19 1Q 20 3Q 20
Southeast Asia / South Asia Announced M&A Legal Rankings Southeast Asia / South Asia Announced M&A Financial Rankings
Value Market Value Market
Rank Legal Advisor Deals Rank Legal Advisor Deals
($MLN) Share ($MLN) Share
1 Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 21,187.8 16 11.7 1 JP Morgan 30,717.8 20 17.0
2 AZB & Partners 20,562.6 82 11.4 2 BofA Securities Inc 20,441.4 17 11.3
3 Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas 20,183.8 88 11.2 3 Goldman Sachs & Co 19,485.4 15 10.8
4 WongPartnership LLP 14,940.9 27 8.3 4 Morgan Stanley 18,308.1 11 10.1
5 Davis Polk & Wardwell 13,812.3 4 7.7 5 UBS 16,410.4 16 9.1
6 Allen & Overy 13,700.5 22 7.6 6 HSBC Holdings PLC 15,955.5 9 8.8
7 Linklaters 13,300.9 3 7.4 7 Credit Suisse 15,511.4 11 8.6
8 Allen & Gledhill 12,972.6 24 7.2 8 Nomura 13,740.7 16 7.6
9 Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu 12,501.0 15 6.9 9 Deloitte 12,446.1 23 6.9
10 Mori Hamada & Matsumoto 12,358.5 10 6.9 10 Barclays 10,859.9 5 6.0
(*tie) Based on Rank Value including Net Debt of announced M&A deals (excluding withdrawn M&A) (*tie) Based on Rank Value including Net Debt of announced M&A deals (excluding withdrawn M&A)
Any Southeast Asia / South Asia Involvement Announced M&A Activity - Quarterly Trend*
Series1 Series2
210 1,600
Rank Value US$ Billion
175.7
No. of Transactions
1,400
160 1,200
118.0 1,000
110 79.9 84.7 84.3 84.0 800
77.3 68.3 73.6 70.1 72.9 73.6 74.5 75.2 70.8 77.1 75.6
64.0 65.9 66.3 600
52.7 44.0 47.5 46.7 48.3 53.5 44.6
60 39.0 42.1 41.8 400
26.0
12.0 200
10 0
1Q 13 3Q 13 1Q 14 3Q 14 1Q 15 3Q 15 1Q 16 3Q 16 1Q 17 3Q 17 1Q 18 3Q 18 1Q 19 3Q 19 1Q 20 3Q 20
*League tables, quarterly trends, and deal lists are based on the nation of either the target, acquiror, target ultimate parent, or acquiror ultimate parent at the time of the transaction. Announced M&A transactions excludes withdrawn deals. Deals with undisclosed dollar values are rank eligible but with
no corresponding Rank Value. Non-US dollar denominated transactions are converted to the US dollar equivalent at the time of announcement of terms. NORTH ASIA: China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan; SOUTHEAST ASIA: Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Timor-Leste; SOUTH ASIA: India, Afganistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Data accurate as of 10 November 2020.
12 ASIAN LEG AL BU S I N ES S – N OV EM B ER 20 20 W W W. L EG A L B U S I NE S S O NLI NE .COMwww.kwm.com
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King & Wood Mallesons network. Visit kwm.com for more information. Subscribe to our WeChat community. Search: KWM_ChinaMANAGING PARTNER ROUNDTABLE
With a most unique year winding to a close,
law firm leaders in Singapore look back on
some of the lessons they learnt, and also
the ways they put both clients and employees
in focus during a difficult time.
BY R ANA JI T DAM
for a more flexible work arrangement. For example, all
of us have quickly adapted the use of Zoom for meet-
ings, and the use of multiple screens to carry out our
work (instead of paper bundles). We have adopted more
applications for our office processes such as approval of
payments, instead of paper forms. Some of our lawyers
have even told me that they were surprised that they
managed to get their work done with less paper than
before or at all.
This crisis has also presented our lawyers and
staff the unique opportunity to innovate and expand
the remote working capabilities of the firm both in
PATRICK ANG JERRY KOH ANTHONY MCKENZIE Singapore and also regionally in, Cambodia, China,
Rajah & Tann Allen & Gledhill Carey Olsen
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Thailand and Vietnam where we operate.
In what major aspects have you seen the pandemic JERRY KOH, joint managing partner, Allen & Gledhill:
impact the firm and its work to date? We have had to make significant adjustments to the
PATRICK ANG, managing partner, Rajah & Tann way we work and interact within Allen & Gledhill and
Singapore: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm with our clients. As COVID-19 is highly contagious, we
had just moved to our new premises at Marina One. spared no effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of
Over the years, we had upgraded our use of technology our people, who are our most important asset.
and applications and started a transition to a less-paper Technology was one of the tools which we lever-
office. We had in our management discussions talked aged on to continue our operations as close as possible
about a more flexible work arrangement and in 2020, to pre-COVID days. Video conferencing and regular
started permitting our lawyers to work from home on virtual catchups have enabled us to keep in touch with
a very limited basis. No one could have foreseen that one another within our firm and to maintain our rela-
just a few weeks after, the entire firm would be working tionships with clients.
from home as the default position. Supporting our clients through this period has been
The pandemic’s impact on our work environment a top priority for us and we made a concerted effort to
has been swift. It has accelerated our longer- term plans ensure that we are in constant communication with them
14 ASIAN LEG AL BU S I N ES S – N OV EM B ER 20 20 W W W. L EG A L B U S I NE S S O NLI NE .COMYou can also read
