Taylor Wessing seals alliance with Singapore's RHT Law

The deal, which goes live this month, sees the UK firm enter into a co-operation agreement with the local firm, which was established in May.

The Lawyer reported earlier this month that Taylor Wessing was seeking a partner firm in Singapore and Hong Kong as part of a project headed by City corporate partner Robert Fenner and Munich partner Michael-Florian Ranft, who heads the firm’s China group (8 August 2011).

RHL Law has 53 fee-earners and acts for Chinese and European clients.

Taylor Wessing said the alliance was part of the firm’s plan to be seen as a premium firm in Asia for in-bound and out-bound work.

Managing partner Tim Eyles said in a statement: “Emerging economies are a key driver of our geographic strategy and, as a centre for investment flows into and out of Asia, India, China and the Middle East, Singapore’s an obvious move for Taylor Wessing.

“More than 50 per cent of our clients have a presence in Singapore and that interest will only increase. In RHT Law we’ve found a dynamic partnership with a deeply rooted practice and understanding of the region, as well as a synergy with our international offering to cutting edge industries.”

Tan Chong Huat, managing partner of RHT Law, said: “Our relationship forms a network of over 800 lawyers working across 14 offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. I’m highly confident that Taylor Wessing is the right partner for us to internationalise our business and make the most of the opportunities in this dynamic region.”