Australia's AAR hires Clifford Chance partner for Singapore base

Howell, who began his career at Allens, will be joined in Singapore by three more partners who have relocated from the firm’s other Australasian offices.

Cambodia practice head and energy and resources partner Marae Ciantar has moved full-time to the jurisdiction. Fellow energy and resources partner Darren Murphy has moved from Perth, while insurance partner Matthew Skinner has relocated from Sydney.

Singapore managing partner Robert Clarke said: “Rod has several years’ experience on the ground in Asia and, after a stint in New York, was keen to resume practising here.”

The relocations, along with Howell’s arrival, take the total partner headcount in Singapore to six.

Clarke added: “We haven’t exactly been shouting about it, but in countries such as Vietnam the firm continues to be the key legal adviser on some of that nation’s largest projects. It’s important to us that we continue to build a strong presence in Singapore given its role as a growing financial, insurance and arbitration hub for South-East Asia.”