Greenberg Traurig (GT) has added five shareholders in Singapore, including Simmons & Simmons’ former Asia head of funds Jek Aun Long, as it seeks to strengthen its footprint in Asia.
Moving across with Long from Simmons are fellow funds lawyers Benedict Tan and Joshua Heng, while the US firm has also secured White & Case M&A specialist Kyle Oh and Ashurst energy and natural resources lawyer Stella Bae, both of whom are relocating from Seoul.
GT said its Asia expansion was a key component of its global growth strategy; it has offices in Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo and Singapore, which officially opened in 2023.
Richard Rosenbaum, GT’s executive chairman, said: “The addition of Jek Aun, considered a pioneer, thought leader and veteran by many in the Singapore fund management industry, and his team advances our global strategy of positioning top-notch specialists in prime locations to deliver sophisticated, business-minded solutions in the funds space and beyond.
“Moreover, Kyle further strengthens our M&A practice in Singapore, and Stella augments our already robust energy and infrastructure practice across Asia and the globe.”
Long was Simmons’ Singapore office head prior to taking up the role of Asia head of funds in 2023. He also previously worked at Allen & Gledhill, where he was practice group leader, and at Clifford Chance in Hong Kong, where he was a funds and regulatory lawyer.
Tann, who became a partner at Simmons in 2023, was previously an associate at Rajah & Tann. Heng, meanwhile, is promoted on his move, having been a managing associate at Simmons & Simmons and its local joint venture partner JWS.
Oh, meanwhile, was a local partner at White & Case, based out of its Seoul office. He also previously worked at Dechert before becoming a judge advocate in the Republic of Korea Air Force.
Bae was also based in Seoul prior to her move, working as a counsel and foreign legal consultant at Ashurst. She previously worked at legacy firm Shearman & Sterling, as well as DLA Piper in Washington DC, Linklaters in Dubai and Australian firm Gilbert + Tobin in Perth.
Joseph Kim, GT’s Singapore managing shareholder, said: “What we’re trying to do is build a truly full-service office here by looking at the mega-trends that are happening on the digital side and stitching it together with other offices. The Singapore team has the opportunity to do something unique with the Seoul and Tokyo offices, working together on cross-border issues that affect the entire region.”
He added that more hires are likely to follow as the firm continues to bolster its Asia coverage.
Other international firms that have been expanding their presence in Singapore recently include CMS, Withers – which also raided Simmons & Simmons – and Reed Smith.
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