Edwards Angell prioritises Hong Kong and Tokyo launches

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge (EAPD) is gearing up to open offices in Hong Kong and Japan just four months on from its merger with London firm Kendall Freeman.

The ;US ;firm's ;new managing partner Walter Reed, who took up the post last week (15 April), told The Lawyer the offices are among the firm's top priorities.

"Our plans to launch in both Hong Kong and Tokyo are moving in parallel, so which launches first will depend simply on which can set up more quickly," said Reed. "The need to open in the two jurisdictions has come in response to the needs of our increasingly global client base."

A prime example for EAPD needing a South East Asia presence is its recent advisory role for Japanese company Takeda Pharmaceuticals' $9bn (£4.54bn) acquisition of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Reed added.

The offices are part of Reed's five-year plan, which includes the expansion of London's newly created IP practice.

Reed said: "Additionally we're looking to expand in the US to West Coast states, including California and Chicago. I also wants to see our Washington DC office, which is mainly IP, grow into other lines of business."