Vargas Partners Newswatch: Asia Big Law news

Freshfields advises Banner Ridge on $280m acquisition of True Green Capital Fund III LP

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Freshfields advised Banner Ridge on acquiring limited partner interests representing about $280 million of capital commitments in True Green Capital Fund III, L.P., via a tender offer to existing investors. The transaction closed in September 2026. The team was led by Partner Ivet Bell; Partners Sarah Katz and David Nicolardi advised on tax and regulatory matters respectively.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Freshfields — news

Wotton Kearney hires Kennedys marine disputes team in Singapore

hello@vargaspartners.com (Vargas Partners Newswatch) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Wotton Kearney has drawn marine talent from Kennedys for a second time in Singapore as the city's arbitration caseload climbs.

Wotton Kearney has hired a shipping and commodities disputes team in Singapore from Kennedys, two months after absorbing a New Zealand maritime boutique, with the firm saying more hires will follow, Australasian Lawyer reported on 1 October.

The team is led by partner Karnan Thirupathy, who has more than 25 years of practice in Asia and qualified in Singapore and in England and Wales, with special counsel Charlene Sim, who has 11 years in practice. They move from Kennedys to launch a dedicated marine, trade and commodities disputes group working across Wotton Kearney's Singapore and Bangkok offices, which recently secured over US$140 million for a global energy trader in an LCIA arbitration over an LNG supply dispute, according to Insurance Business.

Wotton Kearney's Singapore office, opened in 2024, is its tenth and first in mainland Asia

Wotton Kearney opened in Singapore in June 2024, its tenth office and the first by an Australia-domiciled insurance law firm, led by ex-Kennedys partner Ben Nicholson with Tom Morrison, Lawyers Weekly reported. The launch team was drawn largely from Kennedys alumni.

The Singapore build sits inside a wider push. The firm opened a Bangkok office in May 2025, its eleventh globally and second in Asia, led by insurance arbitrator Ian Johnston, Law.asia reported. On 1 August 2026 it integrated New Zealand maritime and fisheries practice Oceanlaw, bringing in partners Hamish Fletcher and Karyn van Wijngaarden and opening a Nelson office, its fourteenth across Asia Pacific, per Wotton Kearney.

Thirupathy and Sim follow Kennedys marine partners who left for DWF and Wotton Kearney

This is the second time Wotton Kearney has drawn marine talent from Kennedys in Singapore, after Nicholson and Morrison in 2024. Thirupathy had been a Kennedys partner since 2011 and is representing Swiss commodities trader Gunvor in an LCIA dispute over delayed LNG deliveries, Global Arbitration Review reported.

Kennedys has lost marine lawyers elsewhere too. DWF recruited four of its marine insurance partners in London in early 2025, including marine practice head Chris Dunn, DWF said. Kennedys moved to rebuild in Singapore by hiring marine, offshore energy and trade credit specialist Iain Anderson from RPC in October 2025, as it marked 25 years in Asia Pacific, Law.asia reported. The firm held leading Insurance and Shipping rankings for Singapore and Australia in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025, per Kennedys, which is what the departures are targeting.

Singapore arbitration quantum reached US$208 million in 2025, up 112%

The moves track a rise in Singapore maritime dispute work. The Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration and SIAC recorded 168 maritime arbitrations in 2025, with total quantum of case references reaching US$208 million, a 112% increase year on year, Asian Legal Business reported. Singapore's maritime arbitration caseload grew from around 5% of London's volume in 2022 to 9% in 2024, according to Hellenic Shipping News.

A global trade war has driven that demand, with sanctions and cross-border commodity disputes central to the caseload. Global marine cargo premiums reached US$22.64 billion in 2024, with Asia premiums up 8.8%, Insurance Business reported. That feeds claims and disputes work for the insurers, P&I clubs, traders, owners and charterers the Wotton Kearney team advises.

Shipping and commodities disputes draw lateral competition in Singapore

The practice covers LNG and commodity sale contracts, contracts of affreightment, charterparties and marine insurance policies. That work is growing in Singapore, and the lawyers who do it are contested.

New entrants add to the competition. Ming Law Asia, set up in Singapore in 2025 with three directors and nine fee earners, focuses on shipping and international trade disputes, Asian Legal Business reported.

Wotton Kearney has drawn marine talent from Kennedys in Singapore twice in roughly two years, integrated a New Zealand maritime boutique and flagged further hires, while Kennedys has lost partners to DWF and Wotton Kearney and rebuilt with a lateral from RPC. The hiring is concentrated in shipping and commodities arbitration, in a market where recorded case quantum more than doubled in a year.

Sources: Australasian Lawyer, Insurance Business, Lawyers Weekly, Law.asia, Wotton Kearney, Global Arbitration Review, DWF, Law.asia, Kennedys, Asian Legal Business, Hellenic Shipping News, Asian Legal Business

Wilson Sonsini to open Singapore office, hire two partners

hello@vargaspartners.com (Vargas Partners Newswatch) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Wilson Sonsini is entering Singapore 18 months after closing Beijing, joining Simpson Thacher and King & Wood in a crowded 2026 funds market.

Wilson Sonsini will open a Singapore office and hire two partners on the ground, expanding its Asia footprint beyond Greater China roughly 18 months after it closed its Beijing office, The American Lawyer reported. The Silicon Valley firm, known for technology and venture work, enters a Singapore market already crowded with US private equity and funds practices.

Wilson Sonsini closed Beijing in 2025 and built in Hong Kong

Wilson Sonsini announced in March 2025 that it would close its Beijing office, its largest Greater China outpost by partner head count, by not renewing the lease, while keeping Shanghai and Hong Kong (The American Lawyer).

It has since added partners in Hong Kong. Jennifer Liu joined as a China and capital markets partner in September 2026 from Morgan Stanley's investment banking division, after 13 years at Davis Polk (Legal Business Online). Jocelyn Chow arrived in April 2026 as a national security and antitrust partner, after nearly 13 years at Eversheds Sutherland as Asia head of competition, trade and foreign investment (Wilson Sonsini). Yang Chu joined as a corporate partner in May 2025, working on Hong Kong IPOs, equity and debt offerings and M&A across healthcare, life sciences and technology (Bloomberg Law).

The Beijing closure also cost the firm a team. A four-lawyer capital markets group led by Greater China capital markets head Dan Ouyang, with partners Winfield Lau and Ronnie Li and senior counsel Zhenzhen Bao, moved to Baker McKenzie affiliate FenXun (The American Lawyer).

Simpson Thacher, King & Wood and Loeb & Loeb opened Singapore in 2026

The Singapore entry follows a run of arrivals. Simpson Thacher said on 2 April 2026 that it would open a Singapore office, reopening more than 20 years after it left, with partners Theodore Heng and Carolyn Wong resident and private funds partner Tony Liu relocating; its stated focus is private equity, funds, M&A, real estate, energy and digital infrastructure (Simpson Thacher). China's King & Wood Mallesons is set to open in Singapore in early October 2026 (Law.asia). Loeb & Loeb launched its Singapore office, its third in Asia after Beijing and Hong Kong, with partner Xavier Amadei relocating from Hong Kong alongside partner Lewis Ho (Law.asia). Greenberg Traurig bolstered its Singapore office in November 2025, adding partners including Ashok Lalwani and Chi Pan (Greenberg Traurig).

These openings run against a retreat from mainland China. At least 16 US firms have closed Chinese offices since 2024, among them Milbank, Paul Weiss, Skadden, Weil, Sidley, Morgan Lewis, Fenwick and Dechert, amid geopolitical tension, a slow deal market and regulatory pressure (ABA Journal). Cleary Gottlieb moved to shut Beijing by July 2025, with Seyfarth Shaw and Taylor Wessing also announcing Shanghai and Beijing closures (Nikkei Asia), and Weil Gotshal exited Beijing while in discussions to close Shanghai (Legal Business Online). Firms increasingly treat Singapore, Southeast Asia and Japan as the safer growth bets, consolidating what remains in Hong Kong rather than the mainland (Law.asia).

Singapore funds, private equity and venture work drives the US-firm build-out

Singapore's pull is the growth in family offices and private equity and venture funds setting up locally, helped by the 2020 Variable Capital Company structure (Chambers). Venture activity underpins demand for emerging-companies and financing lawyers, with recent rounds including Airwallex's $330 million Series G and Supabase's $200 million Series D, core Wilson Sonsini technology and venture territory (Chambers).

The practices the incoming firms want overlap. Simpson Thacher named private equity, funds, M&A, energy and digital infrastructure as its Singapore focus (Simpson Thacher), and Wilson Sonsini's recent Asia hires cluster around capital markets and IPOs, corporate M&A and national security and antitrust (Wilson Sonsini). With Simpson Thacher and King & Wood arriving in the same year, the competition for private equity, funds and technology partners has tightened (Legal Business Online).

Domestic share is largely spoken for. Allen & Gledhill and WongPartnership dominate Singapore venture and startup financing, which leaves incoming US firms competing for referral work and cross-border mandates rather than local deals (Chambers).

Singapore replaces mainland China as the US-firm Asia base

The pattern is a swap of location more than a change in scale. Firms pulling back from Beijing and Shanghai are rebuilding corporate, capital markets and funds capacity in Singapore and Hong Kong, in the same practices and often the same year. Wilson Sonsini's planned Singapore office, 18 months after its Beijing exit and alongside its Hong Kong hiring, follows that line.

Sources: Law.com — The American Lawyer, Law.com - The American Lawyer, Legal Business Online / ALB, Wilson Sonsini, Bloomberg Law, Law.com - The American Lawyer, Simpson Thacher, Law.asia, Law.asia, Greenberg Traurig, ABA Journal, Nikkei Asia, Legal Business Online / ALB, Law.asia, Chambers, Legal Business Online / ALB, Chambers

Trilegal and Khaitan & Co advise on Anmol Industries' proposed ₹1,800 crore IPO

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Anmol Industries Limited proposed an initial public offering comprising an offer for sale of equity shares aggregating up to ₹1,800 crore. Trilegal and Khaitan & Co advised.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Bar & Bench

Trilegal and Khaitan & Co act on Varmora Granito ₹708 crore IPO

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Varmora Granito made an IPO aggregating ₹708.021 crore, including a fresh issue and an offer for sale. Trilegal advised Varmora and selling shareholder Katsura Investments, a Carlyle affiliate. Khaitan & Co advised the book running lead managers JM Financial, Goldman Sachs (India) Securities and SBI Capital Markets.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Bar & Bench

Shardul and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas act on Elevate Campuses ₹2,100 crore IPO

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Elevate Campuses Limited made an IPO of equity shares of approximately ₹2,100 crore. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas advised Hillhouse, Alta Capital and the company. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advised the book running lead managers JM Financial, IIFL Capital Services and Morgan Stanley India.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Bar & Bench

S. Vivek rejoins Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas as Capital Markets Partner in Bengaluru

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

S. Vivek has rejoined Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas as a Partner in the Capital Markets practice in Bengaluru.

Confirmed · Asia · Bangalore

Sources: Bar & Bench

Reema Dash joins Bae, Kim & Lee to strengthen India practice

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Bae, Kim & Lee hired Reema Dash, an India-qualified lawyer with 13 years of experience. She was most recently at G42. She will divide her time between Korea and Bengaluru.

Confirmed · Asia · Bangalore, New Delhi

Sources: Bar & Bench

Novara launches global disputes and regulatory practice led by new partner Tony Andriotis

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Novara launched a global disputes and regulatory practice led by newly hired partner Tony Andriotis, who will divide his time between Tokyo and New York. He joins from DLA Piper, where he spent six years and led the international arbitration practice in Japan.

Confirmed · Asia · Tokyo, New York, London

Sources: Law.asia

Miura & Partners opens third U.S. office in Plano

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Japanese firm Miura & Partners has opened its third U.S. office in Plano. The headline describes it as the latest Japanese firm to launch in Texas. The item describes the firm as fast-growing.

Confirmed · Asia · Plano

Sources: Law.com — International Edition

McDermott Will & Schulte advises Cosmo5 on acquisition of Singapore-based Brew Group

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

McDermott Will & Schulte advised Cosmo5, an international digital marketing group, on its acquisition of Brew Group (Brew Interactive and LiteBrew), a Singapore-based marketing group. The firm's team comprised Fabrice Piollet (associé) and Alexandre Bomet (collaborateur).

Confirmed · Asia · Singapore

Sources: Le Monde du Droit — Deals

Kirkland leads Asia M&A as Japan deal value jumps 42%

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Kirkland & Ellis tops completed M&A across Asia excluding Japan. Nishimura & Asahi commands nearly half of Japan's $235.5 billion market. The headline says Japan deal value jumped 42%.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Law.com — International Edition

Kirkland & Ellis elevates Pratik Ranjan Das to partnership

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Kirkland & Ellis has elevated Pratik Ranjan Das to partnership at the firm. The headline describes him as an NUJS graduate.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Bar & Bench

Dentons Link Legal elevates Saahil Memon to Partnership

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Dentons Link Legal has announced the elevation of Saahil Memon to Partnership. No practice area, location or date is stated in the item.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Bar & Bench

Debevoise and Paul Weiss lead on Schneider Electric's $22.6bn acquisition of PTC

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Weiss and Debevoise & Plimpton have taken the lead roles as Schneider Electric agrees to acquire PTC for $22.6bn in an all-cash acquisition. Debevoise is leading on the buy side. Paul Weiss head Barshay is on the sell-side team.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Legal Business

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advises Morgan Stanley on ADIA affiliate's Lenskart share sale

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advised Morgan Stanley on the sale of Lenskart shares by ADIA. Platinum Jasmine A 2018 Trust, an ADIA affiliate acting through trustee Platinum Owl C 2018 RSC Limited, sold 35,000,000 equity shares of Lenskart Solutions for ₹2,390.5 crore.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Bar & Bench

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advises Cerberus on Indian aspects of Goodwin PLC division acquisition

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advised Cerberus Capital Management on the Indian legal aspects of its acquisition of a substantial part of Goodwin PLC's mechanical engineering division, for up to approximately £1.1 billion. Davis Polk & Wardwell was principal legal adviser. Closing is expected in Q1 2027, subject to approvals.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Bar & Bench

Big Law Weekly: Asia, 28 September – 4 October 2026

hello@vargaspartners.com (Vargas Partners Newswatch) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

US and international firms pressed into Australia, Singapore and Tokyo, with Jones Day and Freshfields adding disputes and M&A partners and Wilson Sonsini opening in Singapore.

US and international firms spent the week extending across the Asia-Pacific, with Australia and Japan drawing the heaviest activity. Jones Day added five partners in Sydney and Brisbane drawn from Norton Rose Fulbright, MinterEllison, Gilbert + Tobin, Baker McKenzie and Clayton Utz, according to Lawyers Weekly. Wilson Sonsini set plans to open in Singapore, Freshfields appointed a Tokyo M&A partner, and Withers launched a Tokyo disputes practice.

Disputes and M&A ran through most of the week's hires. Capital-markets mandates across India, Hong Kong, the Philippines and South Korea drew large firm line-ups.

Jones Day adds five Australian partners from domestic market leaders

Jones Day's five Australian partners are Dylan McKimmie (disputes, Brisbane, from Norton Rose Fulbright), Leigh De Jong (real estate and financial markets, from MinterEllison), Christopher Flynn (energy, from Gilbert + Tobin), Lance Sacks (M&A, from Baker McKenzie) and Ken Saurajen (IP, from Clayton Utz), all in Sydney except McKimmie, per Jones Day. The firm frames the five practices around cross-border M&A, energy and infrastructure, complex litigation and arbitration, real estate and IP.

The hires take Jones Day to 18 lateral partners in Australia since mid-2024, and 10 in 2026 alone, growing it from 90 to 120 lawyers across Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, Lawyers Weekly reported. The firm earlier hired Milbank's APAC restructuring head Nicholas Dunstone in Sydney under the same plan, Law.asia reported.

The pattern tracks the US lateral market, where moves hit 3,009 in 2025, a five-year high up 17.8 per cent, with litigation taking the largest share at 26 per cent, per NALP. Kirkland & Ellis was the most active firm, with 116 hires, The Global Legal Post reported. An appointments roundup for 30 September named Jones Day, Hall & Wilcox and Gilchrist Connell among firms changing their ranks, Australasian Lawyer; Ashurst Perkins Coie, Clayton Utz and Gilbert + Tobin rolled out Launchpad 2 Law, a pathway into law for students from rural and regional New South Wales, Australasian Lawyer.

Wilson Sonsini enters Singapore while Withers launches Tokyo disputes

Wilson Sonsini will open a Singapore office with two on-the-ground partners, extending its Asia footprint beyond Greater China some 18 months after closing its Beijing office, Law.com reported. Withers launched a Tokyo arbitration and litigation practice with Hiroko Nihei, who co-founded Hillford Law after O'Melveny & Myers closed its Tokyo office in 2025, per Conventus Law. Wotton Kearney, a Sydney insurance firm, hired a shipping and commodities disputes team in Singapore, two months after absorbing a New Zealand maritime boutique, Australasian Lawyer reported.

Freshfields appointed Gregory Salathé to its Global M&A and Capital practice in Tokyo from 1 October, joining from PAG, where he was Partner and Group General Counsel, Freshfields said. DLA Piper's Japan international arbitration head Tony Andriotis is leaving after six years to become global head of disputes and regulatory at a newly launched firm, Law.com reported. Mori Hamada will add Dallas, Houston and Kyoto in 2027, after moving into New York, California and London, Law.com reported. A regional roundup noted senior hires across Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Australia at firms including Wilson Sonsini, Sparke Helmore and Yoon & Yang, Law.com.

Clifford Chance and CMS add Hong Kong partners as Commerce & Finance names a senior adviser

Clifford Chance hired Jonathan Chu (朱玮骅), former head of CMS's Beijing representative office and a CMS Hong Kong partner from 2020, as its Asia-Pacific IP practice head, Law.asia reported. CMS promoted Candy Tong and Mengyi Chen to partner in its IP and technology practice in Hong Kong from 1 October, working across its integrated Hong Kong and Beijing platform, Asia Law Portal reported. Commerce & Finance (通商) brought in 张恺欣, former head of listed-company advisory at Freshfields, as a senior adviser in Hong Kong, Law.asia reported.

In New Delhi, Ankit Jain joined JSA Advocates & Solicitors as a disputes partner, with a decade in complex litigation focused on renewable-energy and EPC infrastructure disputes, Law.asia reported.

NSE's $2.36bn IPO and Hong Kong's $2.6bn digital bond lead the deals

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Trilegal and Sidley Austin advised on the National Stock Exchange of India's USD2.36 billion IPO, the largest in India in 2026 and the biggest financial-services listing in the country, Law.asia reported. A&O Shearman and Linklaters advised on Hong Kong's record USD2.6 billion digital bond, having now worked on all four of the government's digital green bond offerings since 2023, Law.com reported. Romulo Law and Milbank advised GCash parent Mynt, with ACCRALAW and Latham & Watkins acting for the underwriters, on what is set to be the Philippines' largest IPO, Law.com reported.

Freshfields, Grandall, Katten Muchin Rosenman, Latham & Watkins and Jia Yuan advised on RoboTechnik Intelligent Technology's HKEX main board listing on 29 September, which raised HKD5.18 billion and created an A+H dual-listing, Law.asia reported. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, TT&A, Trilegal and Hogan Lovells acted on Rentomojo's USD130.8 million IPO on the NSE and BSE, Law.asia reported. Shin & Kim and Yulchon advised Hanwha Life on its USD322 million purchase of a controlling stake in Acuon Capital from EQT, Law.asia reported. DSK Legal and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu advised Japan's KRS Corporation on a majority stake in Coldrush Logistics, Law.asia reported.

Pinsent Masons elects Richard Griffiths as KPMG's Anne Collins retires

Pinsent Masons elected Richard Griffiths as managing partner from 1 November, replacing Laura Cameron and working alongside senior partner John Maciver; Griffiths leads the firm's global property group, which grew 13 per cent over his two years at its head, Law.asia reported. KPMG International's top lawyer, Anne Collins, is retiring after serving as global general counsel since 2016, Law.com reported.

The week's hires centred on Australia, Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong, with disputes and M&A the practices firms moved into most. The partners came largely from domestic market leaders and established international firms, and the largest mandates clustered in capital markets across India, Hong Kong, the Philippines and South Korea.

The full list of the week's moves is on the Asia week page.

Sources: Law.asia, Law.com — The American Lawyer, Australasian Lawyer, Freshfields — news, Law.asia (简体中文), Conventus Law, Law.com — International Edition, Law.com — International Edition, Law.asia (简体中文), Asia Law Portal, Law.asia, Law.asia, Law.com — International Edition, Law.com — International Edition, Law.com — Corporate Counsel, Law.asia, Law.asia, Law.asia, Australasian Lawyer, Law.asia, Australasian Lawyer, Jones Day, Lawyers Weekly, Law.com International, NALP, Law.asia, The Global Legal Post

Wotton Kearney hires shipping and commodities disputes team in Singapore

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Wotton Kearney, a Sydney insurance law firm, has hired a shipping and commodities disputes team in Singapore. This comes two months after it absorbed a New Zealand maritime boutique. The firm says more hires are coming.

Read the full article →

Confirmed · Asia · Singapore, Sydney

Sources: Australasian Lawyer

Withers launches Tokyo disputes practice with new partner Hiroko Nihei

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Withers has launched an arbitration and litigation practice in Tokyo with the arrival of new partner Hiroko Nihei. She joins from Hillford Law, a firm she co-founded following the closure of O'Melveny & Myers' Tokyo practice.

Confirmed · Asia · Tokyo

Sources: Conventus Law, Law.asia

Wilson Sonsini to open Singapore office and hire two partners

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Wilson Sonsini, described as a Silicon Valley firm, is set to establish a Singapore presence and hire two partners on the ground. The title says this comes 18 months after it shuttered its Beijing outfit. The move expands its Asia footprint beyond Greater China.

Read the full article →

Confirmed · Asia · Singapore, Beijing, Silicon Valley

Sources: Law.com — The American Lawyer

Shin & Kim and Yulchon advise Hanwha Life on Acuon Capital acquisition

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

South Korean law firms Shin & Kim and Yulchon advised Hanwha Life Insurance on its KRW440 billion (USD322 million) acquisition of a controlling stake in consumer finance company Acuon Capital from EQT.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Law.asia

Pinsent Masons elects Richard Griffiths as managing partner from 1 November 2026

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Pinsent Masons has elected Richard Griffiths as its next managing partner, with his term beginning on 1 November 2026. He replaces Laura Cameron and will work alongside senior partner John Maciver. He currently leads the global property group, which has expanded by 13% during his two years leading it.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Expansión — Jurídico, The Oath (Middle East), Law.asia

Legal appointments roundup lists changes at Jones Day, Hall & Wilcox, Gilchrist Connell

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Australasian Lawyer's 30 September appointments roundup says Jones Day, Hall & Wilcox and Gilchrist Connell were among the firms making changes to their ranks. No names or roles are given in the excerpt.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Australasian Lawyer

KPMG Global General Counsel Anne Collins retires after serving since 2016

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Anne Collins, KPMG International's top lawyer since 2016, is retiring. The item says KPMG faces continuing scrutiny over its handling of misconduct allegations in Australia.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Law.com — Corporate Counsel

Jones Day adds five partners across Australia

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Jones Day has added five partners in Australia, in disputes, real estate, energy, corporate and IP. The item describes it as a US firm doubling down on the Australian market. No names or cities are given.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: The Global Legal Post

通商 Hong Kong hires former Freshfields listed-company advisory head 张恺欣

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

通商律师事务所 brought in 张恺欣, former head of listed company advisory at Freshfields, as 资深顾问 (senior adviser) in Hong Kong.

Confirmed · Asia · Hong Kong

Sources: Law.asia (简体中文)

GCash parent Mynt prices Philippines IPO; Milbank, Latham among counsel

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Romulo Law and Milbank are advising GCash parent Mynt. ACCRALAW and Latham & Watkins are acting for the underwriters and international bookrunners. The IPO is set to be the Philippines' largest ever.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Law.com — International Edition

Freshfields appoints Gregory Salathé as Tokyo partner in Global M&A and Capital

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Freshfields has appointed Gregory Salathé as a partner in its Global M&A and Capital practice in Tokyo. He has more than 30 years' experience across Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and New York, and is regarded for Japan-related private equity deals. Morrison & Foerster and PAG (as Partner and Group General Counsel) are mentioned in his background.

Confirmed · Asia · Tokyo

Sources: Freshfields — news, Law.asia

DSK Legal and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu advise KRS on Coldrush majority stake

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

DSK Legal and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu advised KRS Corporation, a Japanese logistics provider, on acquiring a majority stake in Coldrush Logistics for an undisclosed amount. The deal involves a primary subscription to new Coldrush shares and a secondary purchase from existing shareholder Hydra Commercial Investments, which is UAE-based.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Law.asia

DLA Piper Tokyo partner Tony Andriotis launches disputes practice at new firm

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Tony Andriotis spent six years at DLA Piper leading its international arbitration practice in Japan. He will now serve as global head of disputes and regulatory at a newly launched firm.

Confirmed · Asia · Tokyo

Sources: Law.com — International Edition

Clifford Chance hires former CMS Beijing head 朱玮骅 as Hong Kong partner

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

高伟绅律师事务所 (Clifford Chance) hired 朱玮骅, former head of CMS's Beijing representative office, as partner in its Hong Kong office and head of its Asia-Pacific intellectual property practice.

Confirmed · Asia · Hong Kong

Sources: Law.asia (简体中文)

CAM, TT&A, Trilegal and Hogan Lovells act on Rentomojo USD130.8m IPO

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, TT&A, Trilegal and Hogan Lovells acted on Rentomojo's INR12.56 billion (USD130.8 million) IPO of 31,080,978 shares on the NSE and BSE. It is described as the first online furniture and appliances subscription platform to debut on India's stock markets.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Law.asia

CAM, Trilegal and Sidley Austin advise on NSE of India's USD2.36bn IPO

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Trilegal and Sidley Austin guided parties involved in the National Stock Exchange of India's USD2.36 billion (INR225.62 billion) IPO. The IPO is the largest in India in 2026, the biggest financial services listing in the country and the second-largest in the nation to date.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Law.asia

Ashurst Perkins Coie, Clayton Utz and G+T roll out Launchpad 2 Law

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Ashurst Perkins Coie, Clayton Utz and G+T have rolled out Launchpad 2 Law. The initiative gives students from rural and regional NSW a pathway to a career in law.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Australasian Lawyer

APAC moves roundup: Wilson Sonsini, Sparke Helmore, Yoon & Yang among regional hirers

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Firms across Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Australia made senior hires and leadership appointments spanning capital markets, intellectual property, disputes, energy and real estate. Wilson Sonsini, Sparke Helmore and Yoon & Yang are named in the title.

Confirmed · Asia · Hong Kong, Singapore

Sources: Law.com — International Edition

Ankit Jain joins JSA as disputes partner in New Delhi

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Ankit Jain has joined JSA Advocates & Solicitors as a partner in its New Delhi office, strengthening its disputes practice. He has more than a decade of experience in complex litigation and alternative dispute resolution, focusing on infrastructure-related disputes, particularly in renewable energy and EPC.

Confirmed · Asia · New Delhi

Sources: Law.asia, Bar & Bench

A&O Shearman and Linklaters advise on Hong Kong's record $2.6B digital bond

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A&O Shearman and Linklaters advised on Hong Kong's record $2.6B digital bond. They have now advised on all four of the Hong Kong government's digital green bond offerings since the programme launched in 2023.

Confirmed · Asia · Hong Kong

Sources: Law.com — International Edition, Law.asia

Withers sets up a Japan disputes team

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Withers has established a disputes team for Japan, Conventus Law reported on October 2.

Confirmed · Asia · Japan

Sources: Conventus Law

Mori Hamada plans three new offices in the US and Japan

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Mori Hamada plans to open three new offices in the US and Japan, Law.com International reported on October 2.

Confirmed · Asia · United States, Japan

Sources: Law.com International

CMS promotes Candy Tong and Mengyi Chen to partner in Hong Kong

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

CMS announced the promotion of Candy Tong and Mengyi Chen to partner in its Intellectual Property and Technology practice in Hong Kong, effective 1 October 2026. They work across the firm's integrated Hong Kong and Beijing platform. Candy focuses on IP protection and disputes.

Confirmed · Asia · Hong Kong, Beijing

Sources: Asia Law Portal

Freshfields hires a partner in Tokyo

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Freshfields has hired a partner in Tokyo, the firm announced on October 1.

Confirmed · Asia · Tokyo

Sources: Freshfields

Law firms advise on RoboTechnik's HKEX main board listing

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

RoboTechnik Intelligent Technology listed on the HKEX main board on 29 September 2026, raising HKD5.18 billion (USD660 million), creating an A+H dual-listing after its 2019 Shenzhen debut. Freshfields, Grandall Law Firm, Katten Muchin Rosenman, Latham & Watkins and Jia Yuan Law Offices are named; their roles are not stated.

Confirmed · Asia · Hong Kong

Sources: Freshfields — news, Law.asia

Rajah & Tann adds an IP partner

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Rajah & Tann has added an intellectual property partner, the firm announced on September 28.

Confirmed · Asia

Sources: Rajah & Tann

Jones Day adds five partners in Australia

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Jones Day has added five partners in Australia, the firm announced on September 28.

Confirmed · Asia · Australia

Sources: Jones Day

HSF Kramer grows in Tokyo with a hire from Nishimura & Asahi

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

HSF Kramer has added to its Tokyo office with a hire from Nishimura & Asahi, Asian Legal Business reported.

Confirmed · Asia · Tokyo

Sources: Asian Legal Business

Ashurst’s Singapore head exits as Asia departures continue

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The head of Ashurst’s Singapore office is leaving, continuing a run of Asia departures from the firm, Asian Legal Business reported.

Confirmed · Asia · Singapore

Sources: Asian Legal Business

King & Wood launches a Singapore office

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

King & Wood has launched an office in Singapore, the firm announced on September 21.

Confirmed · Asia · Singapore

Sources: King & Wood