Malaysia’s Zul Rafique & Partners Appoints new Co-Managing Partners

July 1, 2024
Malaysian law firm Zul Rafique & Partners has appointed Lukman Sheriff Alias and P Jayasingam as its new Co-Managing Partners effective January 1, 2024. These appointments come as the former Managing Partner, Dato’ Zulkifly Rafique, announced his retirement after over 24 years of outstanding leadership. The current head of the firm’s Energy & Utilities Practice Group, Lukman Sheriff Alias brings a wealth of legal experience. He specialises in corporate, energy and utility transactions, and has extensive experience in large-scale projects, including the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kwasa Damansara. Alias has been involved in various independent power producer projects, both local and overseas. He has advised, among others, the Bakun Hydro power purchase agreement, Genting power plant PPA extension, the aborted East to West Malaysia submarine power cable line, and acquisition of Indonesian power plants and coal mines. In 2005, he acted for the Government of Malaysia in restructuring the nation’s water industries, which involved the amendment of the Federal Constitution, and the drafting and enactment of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 and the water rules thereunder, together with the establishment of Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara. On the other hand, P Jayasingam brings with him over 38 years of experience at the Malaysian Bar. He currently heads the firm’s Litigation and Employment & Industrial Relations Practice Groups. Jayasingam handles a litigation portfolio of civil and industrial relations matters, and he regularly handles cases for and on behalf of employers. He also regularly appears in the Industrial Court, and advices and handles disputes relating to dismissal/constructive dismissal, collective agreements, redundancy/retrenchment, change of ownership of...

Clifford Chance Appoints New Beijing and Shanghai Managing Partner, China Practice Chair

April 19, 2024
Clifford Chance appointed Lei Shi as Beijing and Shanghai Office Managing Partner, effective May 1, 2024. He will succeed Terence Foo and Tim Wang, whose second term concludes at the end of April 2024. Tim will be appointed Chair of the firm’s China Practice, where he will provide strategic guidance and support on client development and other initiatives for the China practice and regionally. Terence will continue to support the firm on regional strategic initiatives. Lei joined Clifford Chance as an associate in 2010, and was promoted to partner in 2019. He is a partner in the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group, specialising in international arbitration, regulatory compliance and investigations, and general commercial litigation. “I am honoured and excited to be taking on this role for the firm”, said Lei Shi. “We have a remarkable history in China, as one of the first international law firms to commence operations here as early as 1985. As we approach the 40th anniversary of our presence in Mainland China, I look forward to working with our exceptional team to further strengthen our business, deepen our relationships with clients, and support the professional growth of our colleagues in China.” Tim Wang added, “I am delighted to accept the position of Chair for the firm’s China Practice, and continue to contribute to our strategic direction and growth in this dynamic region. I look forward to working closely with our regional leadership to navigate the opportunities ahead, ensuring that we continue to deliver exceptional service to our clients.” Connie Heng, Asia Pacific Regional Managing Partner, commented, “Lei’s track record of delivering innovative solutions to complex legal challenges,...

K3 Legal, With Fred Kan & Co, Opens First Office in Hong Kong

April 19, 2024
  Leading Auckland, New Zealand law firm K3 Legal has received approval from The Law Society of Hong Kong to launch K3 Legal Hong Kong, an association with Fred Kan & Co, a law firm with a long history in Hong Kong and a network covering Mainland China, including the Greater Bay Area, and Japan. Branded. This is the first time K3 Legal has established a presence outside of New Zealand. “K3’s expansion into Hong Kong marks a significant milestone in our journey, made possible through our association with Fred Kan & Co. This move opens up a world of opportunities for investors, private equity, family offices, high net worth individuals and companies by streamlining inbound and outbound market entry, eliminating the need for external legal counsel and ensuring a seamless experience for all parties involved,” said Ms Margaret Chen, K3 Legal Hong Kong head who recently relocated from K3’s office in Auckland to Hong Kong. Established in 1981 in Hong Kong, Fred Kan & Co has teams practicing in the areas of arbitration and mediation, construction, litigation, corporate and corporate finance, intellectual property, employment and real estate. “We are honoured to be associated with K3 Legal. Through this association, we can now offer a more rounded and seamless service to clients in Hong Kong, Mainland China, including the Greater Bay Area, and now, New Zealand,” said Mr Fred Kan, Founding Partner of Fred Kan & Co. “K3 Legal Hong Kong offers clients a comprehensive suite of legal solutions spanning immigration, commercial law, arbitration, and effective dispute resolution. This gives clients the strategic legal support to navigate complex challenges...

A&O Shearman Announces First Senior Leadership Roles

April 10, 2024
Allen & Overy (A&O) and Shearman & Sterling (Shearman) has named the first of several senior leadership roles for the combined firm A&O Shearman, taking effect on May 1, 2024. Additional senior and other leadership appointments for the new firm will be drawn from both firms and announced in due course. Khalid Garousha has been elected as senior partner, and Hervé Ekué has been elected as managing partner of A&O Shearman. Adam Hakki, current senior partner at Shearman, has been appointed co-chair of the global A&O Shearman board and executive committee, and will also lead the firm’s US business as its chair. In addition to his senior leadership duties, Adam will continue to actively represent clients. Doreen Lilienfeld will serve as co-managing partner of the US business, and will also continue to represent clients in addition to this role. “I am honored that the partnership has put its trust in me to lead A&O Shearman as its first senior partner,” Senior Partner Khalid Garousha said. “Working closely with Hervé, Adam, Doreen and other senior leadership as A&O Shearman, we will take forward our combined expertise and deep legal knowledge to achieve unparalleled outcomes for our clients on their increasingly complex legal and commercial challenges, wherever they and we operate in the world,” he added. Adam Hakki, co-chair of the A&O Shearman global board and executive committee and chair of the firm’s US business, said: “I am honored and excited to be taking on these senior leadership roles for A&O Shearman. I am very much looking forward to working closely with our soon-to-be new partners and leadership team to deliver...

KWM Bolsters Singapore and Hong Kong Offices

February 2, 2024
Asia’s largest international law firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has expanded its Partnership, welcoming three individuals across two of its offices. Gary Hamp and Indraneil Ghosh have been appointed in Singapore, and Ike Kutlaca has been appointed in Hong Kong SAR. Gary has over 12 years’ experience working in Asia, where he was co-Global Practice Group Chair of the Latham & Watkins’ banking practice and prior to that the head of the Hogan Lovells banking group in Hong Kong. He has in-depth expertise across all the major jurisdictions in the region in leveraged finance, acquisition finance, structured lending and secured syndicated financings in addition to acting for private credit funds and advising on the banking law aspects of complex restructurings. Indraneil comes with over 15 years’ experience and, having joined KWM in Singapore as a Special Counsel in 2021, has been advising KWM clients in the funds management, private equity, and M&A space. Having spent the founding years of his career in London, he has subsequently worked across major international fund centres in the Asia Pacific Region including Dubai, Singapore and Sydney. “Gary’s broad banking & finance capability, coupled with Indraneil’s deep knowledge of fund formation and investments, are tremendous additions to KWM’s Singapore banking and funds offering, and will complement and strengthen our existing capability in these areas across our other offices in the region. We’re extremely pleased to welcome Gary and Indraneil to the KWM partnership; we know their appointments will be welcomed by clients,” commented KWM Australia Chief Executive Partner Renae Lattey. Ike has over 12 years’ experience, having spent four years at the KWM Melbourne office before joining the Hong...