COVER STORY: TOP 15 TMT LAWYERS ALB Asia’s Top 15 TMT Lawyers provides a ranking of the most innovative and outstanding TMT lawyers in the region. The most noteworthy and innovative TMT work in career life, clients’ recommendations, and the use of technology to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be taken into consideration when making an assessment. | FEATURE: SINGAPORE DISPUTES Singapore’s M&A activity has slowed sharply in 2020 due to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. In the first quarter of 2020, M&A deals decreased in value by 22.4 percent, and the number of deals decreased by 30 percent. The cross-border element of M&A deals is expected to increase the risk of disputes, with the cases either going to arbitration or the SICC. We speak to lawyers about the trends that they are seeing. | LIST: EMPLOYER OF CHOICE ALB’s annual survey of the best law firms to work for in Asia is now open. The 2021 Employer of Choice survey is open to employees of law firms, from the paralegal level right up to managing partner, and includes non-legal roles as well. | FEATURE: PROJECTS & ENERGY This is a pivotal time for the infrastructure sector regionally, as governments call for more spending on infrastructure, from bridges to power grids, to help kick-start economies subdued by the COVID-19 pandemic. US investment group KKR & Co recently said it had closed its first $3.9 billion fund focused on infrastructure investment across Asia-Pacific, a record size for the region. We speak to lawyers about the trends they are seeing. | LIST: ALB SUPER 50 DISPUTES LAWYERS In this new listing, ALB will pick the most highly recommended arbitration and litigation practitioners based permanently in the Asian region. These lawyers will be selected based on client feedback. | REPORT: MIDDLE EAST While total M&A deal value for the Middle East region might have dropped in 2020, the number of transactions actually increased by 12, according to a report from Baker McKenzie. The region also witnessed megadeals in some sectors such as high technology, financial institutions, energy and power and real estate have shown. We speak to lawyers in the region about their predictions for deal activity as the region bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic. | FEATURE: RELOCATION & IMMIGRATION A survey by Bartra Wealth Advisors in Hong Kong recently found that 84% of respondents were currently considering or will consider emigrating overseas, among which the majority are high-income individuals including office workers, businesspeople and professionals. We speak to lawyers about the trends they are seeing, as well as immigration/relocation options. | FEATURE: WHITE-COLLAR CRIME As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, governments around the world have ordered lockdowns and companies have told staff to work from home. A side-effect – and one that is worrying finance professionals – is that the myriad new ways of working are making it difficult for companies to effectively deploy due diligence, compliance and training, which could lead to a spike in white-collar crime. We speak to lawyers and other industry professionals about what can be done. | FEATURE: CYBERSECURITY & DATA PROTECTION Law firms are all handling significant amounts of sensitive data, ranging from personal information to life-altering evidence of criminal activity. As a result, they need to not only be aware of cybersecurity, but also how to implement various procedures to ensure their digitised improvements remain secure. We look at how law firms can enhance their cybersecurity resilience to ensure greater resistance from cyber-attacks. | FEATURE: WEALTH MANAGEMENT The COVID-19 pandemic has crimped business activity, but most private banks in Singapore continue to report growth in assets under management (AUM) and net new inflows, helped by wealthy clients' wholehearted embrace of digital services. We speak to wealth management lawyers about the kind of work they have been seeing as a result. |
| | | ALB May 2021 Editorial Preview BOOKING DEADLINE: 06 April
MATERIAL DEADLINE: 15 April |
COVER STORY: IP RANKINGS ALB’s annual rankings of the best law firms in the region for intellectual property picks the most proficient law firms in patents, as well as trademark and copyright work, in each jurisdiction. To request a submission form, please email rowena.muniz@tr.com. | LIST: OFFSHORE CLIENT CHOICE In its annual list, ALB picks the best lawyers working for offshore law firms in Asia. These lawyers are selected on the basis of client feedback. To request a survey link, please email rowena.muniz@tr.com. | REPORT: GREATER BAY AREA The HKMA (Hong Kong Monetary Authority), SFC (Securities and Futures Commission) and AMCM (Monetary Authority of Macao) recently entered into an MoU with mainland authorities agreeing to principles of supervisory cooperation under the Wealth Management Connect scheme. The regulators agree to issue guidance to banks on product due diligence, investor protection, AML/CFT requirements and personal data protection, among other areas. We speak to lawyers about what this all means. | REPORT: THAILAND Thailand’s digital assets industry has grown significantly during recent months. According to the country’s SEC, the number of cryptocurrency trading accounts within the county has risen from 160,000 at the end of 2020 to 470,000 on Feb. 1. We speak to lawyers about the current state of play in terms of laws and regulations, and what policy approaches are in the offing. | REPORT: INDONESIA Indonesia’s Presidential Regulation 10 of 2021 (PR 10/2021) on business fields open to investment — also dubbed as the positive investment list - came into effect on Mar. 4. PR 10/2021 replaces Presidential Decree No.36/2010 (Indonesia’s negative investment list) and is part of the government’s ongoing economic reforms through the issuance of the Omnibus Law. We speak to lawyers on the ground about the most important developments. | FEATURE: EMPLOYMENT LAW The UK Supreme Court’s recent decision in a case brought by Uber, appealing an earlier Court of Appeal decision on the employment status of the company’s drivers, found that under UK employment law, Uber drivers are classified as “workers”, who are therefore entitled to work benefits such as paid holiday, overruling Uber had argued that the drivers were independent, third-party contractors. We look at the potential implications in common law jurisdictions, and also the current state of play across the Asian region. | FEATURE: RESTRUCTURING & INSOLVENCY The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in temporary or permanent changes to legislation concerning insolvency frameworks. In this feature, we look at specific Asian jurisdictions, and ask lawyers to break down the changes brought about by COVID-19. | FEATURE: LAW FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Legal practice management software, which manages a law firm's case and client records, billing and bookkeeping, schedules and appointments, deadlines, computer files and more, is making giant strides globally. We look at the usage in Asia, and what brands are most popular. | FEATURE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Contract-related artificial intelligence is today making waves among corporate law departments in the region. We look at how often it is being used, why in-house teams are making moves to use it, and what kinds of functions it will be used for. | | Add us to your safe sender list by following the steps below:
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