Weil’s India head moves to Hong Kong for Asia push

Weil Gotshal & Manges has underlined its commitment to Asia through plans to send New York-based corporate associate and head of India Lavesh Samtani to its Hong Kong office next year.

The firm’s chairman Stephen Dannhauser had stated the firm’s intention of using its Hong Kong office as a platform for Asia-related work when he announced the office’s establishment earlier this month.

“India’s important to us for both inbound and outbound work,” said head of the Asia practice Akiko Mikumo, who will relocate to Hong Kong once the office opens next month.

Mikumo explained that, while the firm will remain focused on work relating to India, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan, other markets are also being explored.

“We’ll also use these offices to work on Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam-related deals,” she said.

Mikumo added that, with these countries, the focus will be on outbound investments.