Report this comment to a moderator

White & Case drops friend to go it alone in Singapore

Requiem White & Case is a good law firm globally, but the current exodus of former partners to other good firms like KL Gates, Ashurst, Paul Hastings, DLA, Jones Day, O'Melveny, is indicative of a serious problem in W&C Singapore. The Singapore market is too small for the offshore firms, with or without QFLP status. They really need Indonesia-, China- or India-linked business to have any economic base that would justify operating in the city-state. After the Venture Law breakup, they don't have any links to those markets now, because the India team left for Paul Hastings, the Indonesian teams left for O'Melveny, Jones Day and elsewhere, and Venture had China-related work. Having the ex-London folks in Singapore would work if the firm had a good institutional bank client like the British firms do. However, W&C does not, so instead they are simply deadwood. The firm isn't going anywhere, it will be around after others have left. However, without a stronger local presence, it will be a faded reflection of what it once was. Expect more to leave this office.

4-Mar-2009

11:56 am