The Indonesian firm wants to offer an expanded range of international services to its local clients whilst the US firm is looking to make headway in Southeast Asia. The two firms will market their services locally and internationally with the Indonesian firm adopting the title ‘Melli Darsa & Co in strategic alliance with Squire Sanders’.
Squire Sanders CEO and Chair, James Maiwurm, said the firm went down this route in the face of  investment in Indonesia from countries such as China, Japan and Korea. He said it was clear that Indonesia was the missing link in the firm’s integrated service.

Local support

Ignatius Hwang, managing partner of Squire Sanders’ Singapore office, said Squire Sanders had launched its office in Singapore last year to provide a gateway to other rapidly growing economies in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. However, clients were now demanding local Indonesian law support, particularly in areas such as energy and natural resources and infrastructure. The 33 lawyer firm Melli Darsa & Co is known for its work in capital markets and securities, M&A, corporate finance and banking, project finance, anti-competition, commercial law and litigation. Harward-educated Melli Darsa said her Indonesian clients were looking to expand into international markets.