White & Case’s Singapore managers are probably wishing they had their size 10s handy to squash energy partner Brad Roach’s defection – along with an associate– to rival international firm
Lovells. Official from 21 July, the move marks the second time this year that a
White & Case partner has made the move to
Lovells, as the now three-partner strong firm continues to expand in the island state.
Lovells’ Asia managing partner Crispin Rapinet was understandably thrilled with Roach’s move, which comes on the back of recent additions to the firm’s arbitration, intellectual property and corporate practices over the past 12 months. According to Rapinet, Roach’s hire “helps bring a number of factors together and also opens up opportunities in projects and arbitration”.
“It fits in well with our existing practice and also overlaps with our Japanese practice, with which he shares clients including Mitsubishi.
“From the firm’s perspective, it is a very exciting hire.”
Roach joins two other partners in
Lovells’ Singapore office, which has been advising on foreign law in the city state since 1998 and which has enjoyed a joint venture relationship with locals
Lee & Lee since 2001. Managing partner James Harris specialises in project finance work, while partner Ken Hawkes works in finance.