Continuing with the ongoing trend among international firms to bolster their capability to successfully litigate in Asia, Latham & Watkinsannounced on Monday that it had launched an Asia litigation practice centered in Hong Kong. To spearhead the effort it has brought on Simon Powell, formerly from Jones Day’s Hong Kong Office, says AmLaw Daily.
London partner and vice-chair of global litigation said its approach to litigation was crucial and to be two-fold, “seeking out both high-end local representations as well as “export” work.”
In addition, Powell, himself, also foresees a change in the Asian regulatory climate which will stimulate a need for increased litigation.
Powell, qualified to practice in Hong Kong, most recently represented Lehman Brothers in Asia as special counsel. He provides advisory services to financial services in the region as well being one of the far East’s top insolvency and litigation experts. The Hong Kong office, one of Latham’s newest, forms part of the firm’s presence in Asia. It numbers among its Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo offices.
Latham & Watkins was founded in 1934 and has over 2000 attorneys and 30 offices around the world.