| Singapore’s Attorney-General has granted a Joint Law Venture Licence to Pinsent Masons and its associated Singapore law practice, MPillay. The new Joint Law Venture (JLV) – to be called Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP – will operate from this month, and will allow the two firms, which have enjoyed a relationship since 2007, to jointly offer clients local law advice from a top five Singapore dispute resolution law firm, in full compliance with local bar regulations.
Under the new arrangement, MPillay’s founder and managing partner, Mohan Pillay, will become a partner at Pinsent Masons as well in the JLV, whilst MPillay’s other equity partner, Chris Chong, is to be appointed as consultant with Pinsent Masons. The domestic firm’s two other partners are due to become counsel in Pinsent Masons, meaning that all MPillay partners will have a parallel role in the full service international firm – which has more than 1,000 partners worldwide – enabling them to work as required in any of the firm’s offices outside of Singapore. The JLV will also be strengthened by the relocation of two senior Pinsent Masons lawyers to Singapore. Partner and construction law specialist Jon Howes and senior associate Wei Yaw Lam are both due to make the move (which sees Lam return to Singapore), with Howes also taking on a partnership role in the JLV. Singapore is a fast growing market for Pinsent Masons in Asia Pacific, and the location has become a gateway to work in India, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP will have a specific emphasis on dispute resolution services in relation to construction, energy and engineering disputes, and will be the only JLV in Singapore with such a dedicated sector focus. |
