| As Asia and the Middle East are fast gaining traction both as the legal centres and in fact the motors of the global economy, it is interesting to note that various regional firms are expanding their reach as a consequence of increased client demand.
A cluster of firms who originally launched their offices in Asia have extended their bases in ways that allow them to compete with international firms (the majority of which originate from either the US or London). Increasingly, firms that are seeking to offer clients a full suite of services and remain sensitive to cultural and linguistic issues are having to compete in a way that transcends local borders. Part of the service offered now includes lawyers qualified in each respective jurisdiction so that there is no bar to representation in certain local courts. Stepping up their game, we see firms such as Rajah & Tann, Wong Partnership and King & Wood pushing the envelope on geographical limitations. Apart from their flagship office in Singapore, Rajah & Tann now has a presence in Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Vientiane (Lao) and most recently Ho Chi Minh. They are also expanding their presence in Thailand, with their new office starting operations in Bangkok earlier this week. It also has satellite offices in Japan and South Asia and Indonesia. Similarly, Wong Partnership has footholds both in the Middle East and the Asian regions with offices in Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. King & Wood, a firm with a head office in Beijing serves clients in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Suzhou, Qingdao, Ji’nan as well as Hong Kong. Outside its impressive Asian presence, it also has offices in Silicon Valley, New York and Tokyo. |
