For the first time since the inception of the Hong Kong Law Awards, not one, but two law firm leaders were named Managing Partner of the Year.
JSM’s Elaine Lo and Baker & McKenzie’s Poh Lee Tan both claimed the revered title in a testing year for the region’s legal leaders.
A tie for the award occurred after the panel of 32 judges – all pre-eminent figures from in and around the legal profession in Hong Kong and the region – in aggregate assigned exactly the same number of points to both Lo and Tan. (Judges assigned 3 points to their first choice, 2 points to their second choice and 1 point to their third choice; points were then totalled to ascertain the winners in each award category).
Lo – who returned to reclaim the title having won last year – said that the award was recognition of her colleagues’ contribution as well. “I am proud to have been named Managing Partner of the Year again, and feel that it was in part recognition of the successful combination of Mayer Brown and JSM,” she said. “I’d like to thank our staff who have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to make the combination successful and the lawyers who are collaborating more closely than ever with their colleagues around the world ...”
Tan attributed her win to Baker & McKenzie as a whole. “The encouragement and support of my colleagues has undoubtedly given me the opportunity to lead Baker & McKenzie in Asia and ensure it maintains its market position in the Asia Pacific region,” she said.
Asia’s law firm leaders have faced a difficult year with the financial crisis. Tan – who took up the position as Asia Pacific regional chairman last year – said that while the economic crisis proved testing, it also created several opportunities for her firm. “Since assuming the position, I would have to say the biggest challenge has been the global financial crisis,” said Tan. “It has presented challenges to our industry as well as many of our clients, but it’s also presented us with many opportunities …I’ve found our culture of friendship extremely rewarding and that has helped to overcome some of the challenges associated with my role.”
Lo added that the ceremony was an invaluable opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of the legal industry. “We applaud ALB for continuing the tradition of recognising the best and brightest within our industry. A non-partisan opinion is very valuable to our clients as they make decisions about their legal service providers, and the event itself is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our colleagues here in Hong Kong,” she said.
Past winners: ALB Hong Kong Law Awards Managing Partner of the Year
Here are the list of other winners at the Macallan ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2009
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