Stephenson Harwood has received formal approval to work with Singapore firm Virtus Law from the local Attorney General’s Chambers.
Under the Formal Law Alliance (FLA), the firms will work more closely together to undertake work requiring both English and Singapore law expertise.
The top 40 firm ramped up its Asia presence in May last year, when it announced its exclusive association with Virtus Law, with a particular focus on corporate, litigation and asset finance. The firm also launched in Beijing around the same time, marking its fourth office in Greater China. This year has seen a further focus on building its presence in Asia, with the announcement in February of plans to open in the burgeoning Seoul market, with the hire of DLA Piper’s local office head and litigation partner Michael Kim.
In addition to Beijing, Stephenson Harwood also has offices in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Singapore, and associations with Christian Teo Purwono & Partners in Indonesia and U Tin Yu & Associates in Myanmar.
Stephenson Harwood Singapore managing partner Martin Green said: ‘Virtus Law’s areas of capability correspond to key areas of Stephenson Harwood’s expertise in Singapore. The alliance with Virtus Law LLP will enable us to offer clients a more tightly integrated service in multi-jurisdictional matters involving English law and permitted areas of Singapore law.’
Arthur Loke, senior partner in Virtus Law, added: ‘This alliance will allow us to pool our resources in terms of client advice, extend our legal provision and client offering to Stephenson Harwood’s international clients. We look forward to working with the Stephenson Harwood partners to do so.’
jaishree.kalia@legalease.co.uk
