Offshore firm Ogier will transfer lawyers to its Hong Kong office in a bid to become the first offshore firm with a Jersey and Guernsey law practice in Asia.
The first of the transfers is Guernsey partner Marcus Leese, who is spearheading the Guernsey law service in Hong Kong and will be later accompanied by a Jersey-qualified lawyer to form a new joint practice.
The launch of the Jersey-Guernsey practice is in response to the growing importance of the Asian economies, said Hong Kong managing partner Duncan Smith, adding that the recent approval allowing Jersey companies to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was also another motivator. Ogier’s Jersey office recently advised Russian oil company Rusal on its landmark Hong Kong listing.
“We have a strong presence in Europe but in Asia we’re relatively new and for us it’s a process of raising our profile,” said Smith. “We’ve grown enormously in Asia and basically caught up with one of our competitors here and we’ve done quite well breaking into this market.”
The move follows competitors Appleby, Walkers and Conyers Dill & Pearman increasing their focus on the Asian markets by opening new offices or through mergers. Smith remains unfazed by the competition. “I don’t think we keep too close an eye on what our competitors are doing but rather what clients need, and by adding these two jurisdictions, we’re providing a more rounded practice,” he said.
In addition, the firm recently made investment funds specialist lawyer Nicholas Plowman its fifth partner in Hong Kong. Smith said that the firm is moving to larger premises to meet the growth.
Meanwhile, in the British Virgin Islands the firm has appointed barrister Ray Ng to its litigation team.
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