Legal Industry News & Trends: Nov Week 5

1. People Moves

i. SEA: Rajah & Tann

Rajah & Tann: Rajah & Tann Thailand bolstered its shipping and insurance practice groups by onboarding a team from Chandler MHM, which includes partner Ittirote Klinboon, counsel Rawi Mechvichai, and senior associate Toon Thanakham. The team is experienced in maritime and insurance disputes. They have advised multinational organisations, carriers, and P&I clubs on wet and dry marine claims, as well as regulatory compliance and risk management. Partner Klinboon will lead efforts in maritime dispute resolution, insurance and reinsurance, and risk mitigation through court and arbitral proceedings.

Takeaway: This expansion aligns with Rajah & Tann Thailand’s strategy to develop industry-focused teams and tap into the growing demand for legal services in Thailand’s shipping and logistics sector.

ii. HK & CN: DCLO, Hylands and GEN

DCLO: Hong Kong-based boutique firm David Cameron Law Office (DCLO) appointed Aoife Griffin as a partner, broadening its practice areas to include employment law, family law, immigration, and litigation. Griffin joins from CRB and has 15 years of experience. Her track record includes handling prominent cases such as QT v Director of Immigration, R v Jutting Rurik George Caton and a HK$960 million ($123.4 million) acquisition of a dairy farm.

Hylands: Hylands Law Firm added Liu Xinlei, Luo Bing, and Liu Fei as partners to its Beijing office.

• Liu Xinlei: Liu was formerly with Zhong Lun. He specialises in investment, M&A, and capital markets. He advised on CITIC Group’s restructuring and represented Hubei Xinyegang Steel in a landmark equity sale involving Nanjing Nangang Iron and Steel United, which was recognised as a “Deal of the Year 2023.”
• Luo Bing: Luo is a specialist in private equity, real estate, and dispute resolution and has over a decade of in-house experience. She joins from Dajia Investment Holdings, where she oversaw compliance. She also supported Taikang Life Insurance in major acquisitions.
• Liu Fei: Liu focuses on high-end commercial litigation. He has provided criminal defence for senior executives and private enterprises and previously practised at DOCVIT Law Firm.

GEN: GEN Law Firm added Lu Liang as a partner in its Beijing office. Lu joins from JunHe and is experienced in handling major, complex IP litigation cases.

2. Business Moves

i. Duan & Duan Expands in London and Tokyo

Duan & Duan has accelerated its global footprint by acquiring the Japan-focused A&Z Law Firm, establishing a Tokyo office, and opening a London branch.

• London Office: The London branch is formed through a merger with UK law firm Jackson Lyon. The office’s track record includes key cases like the Blue Sky Gory cryptocurrency scandal.
• Tokyo Office: The Tokyo branch is Duan & Duan’s second office in Japan and is currently limited to providing non-Japanese legal advice. However, the office aims to strengthen coordination between Japanese companies operating in China and their headquarters and support Chinese companies investing in Japan. In the long term, the firm plans to integrate Japanese legal counsel to better address the legal needs of Chinese organisations and citizens in Japan.

Takeaway: This move aligns with the growing trend of Chinese law firms venturing abroad, particularly to Europe and Japan. The firm also plans to further expand into markets like Vietnam, Dubai, Sydney, and Singapore.

ii. Ex-TianTong Bankruptcy Head Launches Zai Sheng Law Firm

Chi Weihong, the former head of bankruptcy and restructuring at TianTong Law Firm, has established Zai Sheng Law Firm in Shanghai. The boutique firm focuses on corporate debt restructuring, bankruptcy restructuring, dispute resolution, investment, financing, and M&As, and has formed strategic partnerships with financial institutions. Its key partners include:

• Chi Weihong: Chi serves as the managing partner.
• Mao Hongkai: Mao joins as a partner and was formerly from TianTong’s bankruptcy team.
• Jiang Minghui: Jiang joins as a partner. He was an ex-partner at Sunhold Law Firm and has held other positions at the Shenzhen Bankruptcy Trustee Association and Guangdong Bankruptcy Trustee Association.

Takeaway: The move comes after the departures of several members from TianTong’s bankruptcy team. TianTong has since diversified its Shanghai office by launching a new energy and environment practice led by partner Wen Min and appointing Yin Qing as a criminal compliance partner.

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• Asia Business Law Journal