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Categories:Australasia

Hogan Lovells to jump on Aussie bandwagon

20 June 2011 | By James Swift

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Hogan Lovells is the latest firm to set its sights on an Australian launch, confirming that it has held “informal meetings” with firms in the region.

Responding to The Lawyer, the firm issued a statement, which read: “We’ve had very informal meetings with a number of firms to assist us in setting our ­direction in the Australian and Asia markets.”

No details have been given about Hogan Lovells’ plans in Australia, and it is unclear whether it is looking for a merger, a tie-up or a greenfield operation. London ­litigator and Asia managing partner Crispin Rapinet is responsible for the firm’s strategy in the region.

Hogan Lovells already has comprehensive ­coverage in Asia, with offices in ­Beijing, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Ulaanbaatar.
But according to sources in Australia, a booming resources-based economy and the entrance of Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance into the market has left firms questioning whether they are missing out by not having presences there.

Since Christmas the ­Australian legal market has been rife with talk about firms from Canada, the UK and US holding talks with local firms. Most recently The Lawyer revealed (16 May) that Herbert Smith was considering a move into the jurisdiction.

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Readers' comments (2)

  • Anonymous | 20-Jun-2011 6:09 pm

    Why do firms consider that Australia holds the key to Asia? Australia clearly hasn't suffered due to the resources-based economy but why do firms think that it is Asia's back door when they have countless offices in the continent already? Hong Kong is still half way between UK and Aus - if you fly Virgin.

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  • Noric Dilanchian | 21-Jun-2011 3:24 pm

    Dear Anonymous
    Just two brief insights.
    I live and Sydney. Here the question was repeatedly asked 15 years ago: "Why do CEOs of major corporations elect to put national headquarters time and again in Sydney, not say Melbourne or other Australian cities?" The answer, because a home near Sydney harbour and enjoying the Sydney lifestyle simply thrilled the CEO. I'm dead serious, this was the result of a repeated pattern. Maybe lawyers are not different?
    Humour aside and sticking still to English/Australian spelling, I've lectured or run 1 to 2 day workshops on contract law and practice in Australia, United States, Singapore and Malaysia. In those last two cities practising lawyers have attended from China, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam. What I've learned is that to the extent that those lawyers need to understand Common Law for contracts, they are just as satisfied hearing it from an Australian lawyer as much as one resident in their country.

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