Nishimura & Asahi has become the second Japanese Big Four law firm to allow foreign lawyers to become full equity partners, as the country’s legal industry fights to compete with foreign law firms on cross-border deals in the world’s third-largest economy.
The change to its structure comes days after Japan released guidelines to promote increased M&A activity in the country, cracking down on defence tactics aimed at blocking takeovers and entrenching management that have frustrated global investors for years.CLICK TO READ MORE
Read also: Nishimura enters into association with Philippines’ Sy & Partners |
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Other News
Utilising technology for streamlined expedited arbitration in Singapore and Hong Kong [Brought to you by OPUS 2]Arbitration has long been favoured as a reliable alternative dispute resolution mechanism, providing parties with a means to resolve complex commercial disputes outside traditional court proceedings. However, what once was a faster and cheaper alternative to court proceedings is no longer always regarded as such – especially amongst parties who use arbitration for complex disputes, which require more time and resources to resolve. Additionally, the increasing number of arbitration cases has led to a backlog of cases, which can further delay the process.ALB Conversations: Hiro Kato, General Counsel, InpexHiro Kato, general counsel of Japan’s Inpex, talks about why it's important to follow the “Big Rules,” the importance of corporate culture to a flexible and non-hierarchical team like his, and how he never forgets that the legal industry is, in essence, a service industry.EDITOR'S NOTE: If you're a general counsel based in Asia who'd like to be featured in this series, please email mari.iwata@tr.com and ranajit.dam@tr.com.SG: Incisive launches association with DACB, hires Rajah & Tann partner Singapore’s Incisive Law, which specialises in shipping and commodities, has entered into an association with insurance-focused UK firm DAC Beachcroft.PRC firm Haiwen raids Mayer Brown for projects duo in Beijing, HKHaiwen & Partners has hired two key Mayer Brown projects partners: Beijing-based Hallam Chow, who was the head of the China projects practice; and Boya Shen, director of projects, who split his time between Beijing and Hong Kong.Challenges of the Digital Age in Asia [Brought to you by Epiq]Around the world, the volume of electronic data has been growing at an alarming rate as electronic data is created through everyday activities. Electronic documents can be easily duplicated, while the diversity of file types makes it difficult for companies to analyze their data without a unifying platform. As many companies have adapted to a work-from-home arrangement, electronic data is further proliferated as employees increase their use of emails and company chat applications to communicate with each other in lieu of face-to-face communication.Macau’s MdME, DSL to combine to create “leading international law firm”Macau law firm DSL Lawyers is set to integrate with domestic counterpart MdME, according to the leaders of both firms. The combined firm, with 12 partners, will operate under the MdME brand.7 law firms advise on Hong Kong’s first de-SPAC mergerFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Maples and Calder have advised special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Aquila Acquisition Corporation on its HK$10 billion ($ 1.27 billion) de-SPAC merger with ZG Group, marking Hong Kong’s first-ever de-SPAC transaction. Kirkland & Ellis, Shihui Partners and Maples and Calder have acted for ZG Group.Addressing the future of international dispute resolution at Singapore Convention Week 2023 [Brought to you by the Ministry of Law, Singapore] With digital advancements making our world more connected than ever, it has never been more convenient conducting business with partners from different countries. At times, this ease of doing business also results in more instances of friction. In order to provide businesses with effective ways of managing cross-border disputes, we must ensure that our international dispute resolution framework continues to evolve to cater to modern needs.Vietnam’s ACSV Legal hires projects, tech lawyer as partnerHo Chi Minh City-based law firm ACSV Legal has hired projects and technology expert Stanley Boots as a partner. Boots was most recently running his own firm, Frontier Law and Advisory, which he established in Hanoi in 2014.Singapore’s Donaldson, Australia’s Meridian in strategic allianceSingaporean law firm Donaldson & Burkinshaw and Sydney-headquartered Meridian Lawyers have announced a strategic alliance to enhance cross-border cooperation in insurance and commercial legal services.Japan’s MHM set to become second Big Four firm to open office in SapporoJapanese law firm Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has plans to open an office in the northern city of Sapporo by the end of October. It will be its sixth domestic office after Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Takamatsu.India lateral partner hire roundup: SeptemberSinghania & Partners, AP & Partners and Phoenix Legal have recruited a partner each, Naik Naik & Co has added two associate partners focused on disputes, while ANM Global has continued its IP expansion with an associate partner hire.UPCOMING: ALB Legal Guide to Intellectual Property 2024 (EN/ZH)Asian Legal Business is pleased to announce the release of the ALB Legal Guide to Intellectual Property, 2024 edition. The Guide will be published in both Chinese and English and intended to have a one-year shelf life. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE NEWS ON THE ALB WEBSITE |
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ALB Asia Rising Stars (Vietnam) 2023
Open to those either working in-house or in law firms, the list will showcase lawyers under 40 years of age who are doing high-quality work, and in the process earning accolades from their colleagues, superiors and clients. Lawyers need to be permanently based in Vietnam to qualify
DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
Deadline: September 11, 2023
ALB Asia's Top 15 Intellectual Property Lawyers 2023
We are now accepting submissions for ALB Asia’s Top 15 IP Lawyers. This list will highlight the achievements of the top 15 IP lawyers across Asia who have consistently delivered high-quality IP work, set high standards in the IP space, while earning accolades from their colleagues, superiors and clients.
DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
Deadline: September 11, 2023
Asia Korea Super 30 Lawyers 2023
Research for the annual ALB Korea Super 30 Lawyers has commenced. The list will recognize the most highly recommended private-practice lawyers based permanently in Korea. These lawyers will be selected based on client feedback.
SURVEY LINK HERE
Deadline: September 11, 2023
ALB India Top Intellectual Property Lawyers 2023
We are now accepting submissions for the ALB India Top Intellectual Property Lawyers 2023. The lawyers will be selected based on their work, clients’ recommendations, and feedback from the market.
DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
Deadline: September 22, 2023
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As one of Japan’s Big Four law firms, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune has made it its mission to improve diversity and inclusion, or D&I, across the firm and Japan’s legal industry. ALB talks to Mari Itoh, a partner at AMT and a founding member of the firm’s D&I committee, about AMT’s D&I initiatives, goals, and challenges. CLICK TO WATCH MORE VIDEOS
Rankings & Listings Results
ALB Asia Top 15 In-house Teams 2023
With the growing complexity of regulations and legal frameworks across different countries in the region, companies have increasingly turned to their in-house legal teams for guidance and support. In-house lawyers have become more involved in strategic decision-making processes and have adopted a proactive approach to risk management. The annual Asia’s Top 15 In-House Teams list recognises and honours the achievements of legal departments across Asia that truly exemplify the future of legal departments. These teams demonstrate a willingness to embrace change through technology, behaviour, business models, or service innovation to meet the organisation’s needs. |
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2023 ALB surveys and rankings
Click here to access the full list of surveys and rankings that are currently underway and open for submissions. |
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