Kinstellar Launches Sister Law Firm In Southeast Asia

April 10, 2024
Kinstellar has joined forces with Asia Counsel, which will continue to operate under the existing “Asia Counsel” brand, now in association with Kinstellar Southeast Asia. Asia Counsel is a prominent and highly regarded law firm based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s business capital. It has over 20 Vietnamese and foreign lawyers, including three partners. This strategic move marks a significant milestone and a launchpad for the Kinstellar group’s expansion plans in the emerging markets of Southeast Asia. Kinstellar’s new Vietnam and Southeast Asian platform will offer clients significant synergies with the existing Kinstellar full service firm operations in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Turkey and Uzbekistan. “Bringing Asia Counsel into the Kinstellar family marks a significant milestone for our group and for its development plans for Southeast Asia. We are excited to have a firm of the quality of Asia Counsel in our group and about pursuing the next steps in Southeast Asia, commented Kinstellar Senior Partner Jason Mogg. Asia Counsel has built an excellent reputation over a decade of on-the-ground experience and excellence. It acts for multinational corporations, UK, US, European, Japanese, Chinese and other Asia-Pacific law firms, as well as global, regional and local investment funds, venture capital funds, private equity investors and financial institutions. It also serves an array of high-profile Vietnamese corporations with their full business lifecycle. “As we embark on this exciting new chapter, our commitment to delivering exceptional services and maintaining the highest standards remains unwavering. The shared values and goals of Asia Counsel and Kinstellar Southeast Asia undoubtedly will benefit both us and our existing and...

Withers And KARNA Partnership Form Association To Enhance Legal Services In Southeast Asia

April 10, 2024
  Withers has formed an association with KARNA Partnership, a dynamic and multi-service law firm based in Indonesia. The association strengthens both firms’ capacity to provide Indonesia and international legal advice to their clientele. As associated firms, Withers and KARNA Partnership will work closely to expand the range of cross-border advice available to their respective clients by sharing knowledge and expertise, collaborating on marketing efforts, making mutual referrals and developing joint training programmes. “Indonesia is the biggest economy in Southeast Asia, and represents a key market for us, and I am thrilled about our expanded presence in Indonesia. The synergy between Withers and KARNA Partnership stems from a shared vision to provide our clients with holistic legal strategies that are based not only on legal expertise but a deep understanding of the rapidly evolving business environment in Indonesia,” said Joel Shen, corporate partner and Head of Withers’ Indonesia practice. “We are excited to become a part of the Withersworldwide network, as it provides a platform for our clients to access experienced lawyers globally who will support their legal needs and international ambitions. At KARNA Partnership, we offer local value to global clients and aim to complement Withers’ international expertise, by leveraging our deep understanding of local markets and practice,” expressed Rizki Dwianda, Founder and Managing Partner of KARNA...

Harneys’ Appoints Its New Hong Kong Managing Partner

May 9, 2023
Harneys global Banking & Finance and Corporate groups head Partner Paul Sephton has been appointed managing partner of the firm’s Hong Kong office. He succeeds Ian Mann, who is stepping down after five years as Asia Managing Partner, and will continue to focus on his practice as a partner in the firm’s Litigation, Insolvency & Restructuring team in Hong Kong. Having joined Harneys in 2016, Paul is highly regarding in his field, and receives consistent recognition by major directories. He advises leading onshore law firms, major international financial institutions and listed and private companies. Paul specialises in debt finance, advising on a range of financial products, including leveraged finance, margin lending, acquisition finance, pre-IPO finance, take-private transactions, bond issuances, convertible instruments, derivative transactions, property finance, and syndicated lending. “Paul has contributed greatly to our success within the Hong Kong market and is well positioned to continue to deliver our Hong Kong strategy. We are delighted he is taking on this role and wish him all the best”, said Global Managing Partner William Peake. William also commended Ian for demonstrating great leadership and dedication during his tenure as Asia Managing Partner, pointing out that Ian’s commitment to excellence has helped elevate the firm’s reputation in the...

Herbert Smith Freehills Appoints Stammer as Australia and Asia Executive Partner

December 20, 2022
Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Kristin Stammer to the role of Executive Partner, Australia and Asia, effective May 1, 2023. Kristin has been with the firm for 25 years, and is a partner in the intellectual property practice in Sydney, and co-leads the firm’s global consumer sector. She succeeds Andrew Pike, who has been in the role since 2017.   Kristin has been appointed to the role for an initial three-year term. She will work closely with Asia managing partner May Tai in achieving the firm’s regional ambitions.  Andrew will remain at the firm in a new managing partner role, driving growth under the firm’s strategy in priority areas, including private capital, energy transition, ESG and cyber.  “Kristin is highly regarded by our clients and our people, with news of her appointment strongly-received across the firm. She has the global and client-focused mindset, and the collaborative and inclusive leadership skills required for one of the world’s leading international law firms,” said Herbert Smith Freehills CEO Justin D’Agostino.   In response, Kristin remarked, “I am honoured to be chosen to lead the firm in Australia and Asia at such important time for our region. I’m immensely proud of our firm, passionate about our people and clients, and committed to us leading in everything we do. We have the people and expertise to achieve our bold ambitions through even closer collaboration across Asia Pacific, and by enhancing our strong and inclusive...

How to Harness an Agile and Innovative Mindset During Periods of Change or Uncertainty

December 20, 2022
Whilst we all appreciate the importance of a productive and creative mindset, it can be challenging to resist the urge to default to old habits or conservative thinking in uncertain times. As we face questions about the global economy and consider the impact of major market disruptors, we wanted to look at how one can remain agile, effective and even opportunistic, both individually and as a team.  Stephanie Szeto, Head of Asia for Peerpoint, Allen & Overy’s flexible resourcing business, spoke to Sarah Millson, a senior learning and development consultant with Actualize Hong Kong, and Stacy Lopez, a certified professional career and transition coach and member of Peerpoint’s consultant management team, about some of these themes. “The fight or flight part of the brain sometimes sees change as a perceived danger and we often pull from previous experiences when reacting in response to it.” Stephanie: Change in the face of uncertainty can cause people and organizations to react with conservatism, caution and even anxiety. How do we develop an open and opportunistic mindset in the face of change? Stacy: My career has taken a number of different turns and something that I have learned, and which was a real game-changer for me, is that “Everything is an opportunity”. When we are faced with change and discomfort, that is in fact how we grow. So, ask what the potential opportunity is, what are you meant to learn and how are you going to grow and move forward?  The fight or flight part of the brain sometimes sees change as a perceived danger and we often pull from previous experiences when...