Last year The Lawyer reported that law firms in Asia have “virtually no appetite” for social media. The Lawyer cited a study by Living Ratings. It studied the social media trends “of 60 firms, both international and local, in three jurisdictions, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.” “[The study] showed that King & Wood Mallesons, Slater & Gordon and Ashurst are the top firms in the Asia Pacific [region] for use of social media” – as Australasian Legal Business also reported, citing the same study.
I would suggest that there is much more in legal social media in the Asia-Pacific region. Hence, I’ve compiled a list of 10 law blogs in the Asia-Pacific Region I believe are well worth following. Collectively these blogs represent opinion and observation on not only local and regional legal issues, but the business of law. Human rights and politics issues are also seen in some cases.
I’d encourage you to review this list. Decide for yourself who may be the leader in Asia Pacific’s social media universe. And if you happen to know of more law blogs you believe should have made this list, please feel free to add them in the comments section:
Watching the Connectives — “[A] personal, eclectic selection of interesting feeds, links and comments on international telecoms and technology” as author Rob Bratby describes it. Bratby is a partner at Olswang LLP based in Singapore. Watching the Connectives is located here: http://robbratby.com/
China Law Blog — The lawyers publish China Law Blog at Seattle-based Harris & Moure PLLC. It is one of the most well-known internationally-focused law blogs in the world. Thye blog covers China legal and business issues for those seeking to do business in China. Further, it has been recognized by the American Bar Association as among the top 100 law blogs. China Law Blog is located here: http://www.chinalawblog.com/
The Korean Law Blog — New York attorney Sean Hayes and IPG Legal and Tax Advisors publish it. The Blog is a superb, up-to-date resource for anyone seeking to do business in Korea. The Korean Law Blog is located here: http://www.thekoreanlawblog.com/
ASEAN Economic Community Blog – A fascinating blog authored by attorney Edward Sim, a Singapore-based American international trade lawyer, and partner in the trade boutique firm Appleton Luff. Sim also teaches a course on the law and policy of the ASEAN Economic Community, at National University of Singapore law school. He previously served as an adviser to the ASEAN Secretariat and various ASEAN government ministries. ASEAN Economic Community Blog is located here: http://aseanec.blogspot.jp/
Beaton Capital Blog – Australia-based George Beaton is a management consultant to professional services providers and his superb commentary and analysis on the business of law firms in Asia appears in Beaton Capital Blog. To provide a sense of the scope of Beaton’s readership – Bruce MacEwen, one of the most well-respected commentators on the business of BigLaw commented on Beaton’s last post in a recent blog post of his own: “The other week the redoubtable George Beaton launched what turned into as wide-ranging an online discussion as I can remember, under the title The rise and rise of the NewLaw business model, Since its publication, it has generated 65 comments over nearly three weeks from a Who’s Who of the best informed, most thoughtful, and most active commentators and practitioners on the globe.” Beaton Capital Blog is located here: http://www.beatoncapital.com/blog/
Indonesian Insights — Indonesian Insights is published by the lawyers at Jakarta-based SSEK law firms in Asia. It provides excellent, up-to-date news, information, and analysis of the Indonesian economy and the legal issues within that market. Moreover, the blog is very regularly updated and is arguably the best law blog in the ASEAN region. Indonesian Insights is located here: http://www.ssek.com/insights1/blog/our_insights/indonesian_insights
LoyarBurok — LoyarBurok is a fascinating and eclectic blog. It covers not just the legal industry in Malaysia, but also human rights and politics. Authored by a group of writers who guest blog on the site, I was first introduced to LoyarBurok. Plus, it was when they provided superb round-the-clock coverage of the 2012 International Malaysia Law Conference. LoyarBurok is located here: http://www.loyarburok.com
Cambodian Law Blog — “Legal updates from the Kingdom of Wonder,” as the authors describe it. It is “the work of a handful of attorneys at BNG Legal. [The] blog’s mission is to keep the world up-to-date on legal issues in the Kingdom of Cambodia.” Cambodian Law Blog is located here: http://cambodianlaw.wordpress.com/
Langley Esquire – Authored by Tim Langley, Langley Esquire is a native Virginian based in Tokyo and the first foreigner to work inside the Japanese Parliament. He provides fascinating personal insights into doing business in Japan and navigating its’ unique political, regulatory and legal landscape. Last, Langley Esquire is located here: http://www.langleyesquire.com/blog/
China Blawg – As the authors outline: “The China Blawg is the first China Blog focusing on legal issues in 2003. It’s under the direction of LEHMAN, LEE & XU‘s founder and managing director,Edward Lehman a well-known China legal pioneer. The China Blawg focuses on business, legal, tax, intellectual property and other China issues. Therefore, it affects businesses and business[people] in the world’s most populous nation.”
Good and popular blogs