60% of US companies in the Mekong region plan to expand operations
According to a recent study by the East-West Center in Washington and the Stimson Center Southeast Asia Program. More than 1,000 US Companies are active in the five Mekong countries. And more than half are planning expansion in the region. The Mekong Region As the report […]
India’s Economy Wilting Under Covid-19 Headwinds
India’s self-imposed near-total lockdown of 21 days extends further to May 03, 2020. This 40-day shutdown has derailed the economy as per reports of global financial institutions. There has been marginal lifting of the restrictive measures in select areas for some essential services only. But the […]
How Australia’s Hall & Wilcox has adapted to the changing legal services landscape. An interview with Managing Partner Tony Macvean
Hall & Wilcox is a leading independent Australian law firm that’s been in business for more than 100 years. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, the firm’s Managing Partner, Tony Macvean. He outlines the unique ways the firm has adapted to the changing legal services […]
Webcast: Proactive management of COVID 19 related risks and disputes
On 31st March, 2020, In-House Community, together with LC Lawyers LLP (Hong Kong law firm member of the global EY network), hosted a webinar for over 270 in-house counsel. The webinar covers Proactive management of COVID 19 related risks and disputes. And Kareena Teh present it, […]
Who knows what the future will hold?
Looking at the past to work through the Covid-19 crisis
The current state of legal innovation in New Zealand. An interview with Andrew King, Founder, LegalTechHub
Andrew King is one of the core connectors of the legal tech industry in New Zealand. The founder of LegalTechHub (a portal for legal tech in NZ), the founder of e-discovery and legal innovation consultancies. And the organizing force behind LawFest NZ. In this interview with […]
Black Swan Alert! – Covid-19 and what senior partners should be doing right now to survive
As a senior leader in the industry I hope you will find the article below helpful. It is by Paul Smith, former Chairman of Eversheds Sutherland and co-author. Its intention is to assist law firm executives at a time of crisis with some tried and tested […]
Executing your law firm business development plans during the coronavirus outbreak
Like a hurricane that swept across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our lives. It is fair to say that most of our lives right now are different when compared to 2020 beginning. Case in point: Most of you are probably reading this at […]
Hong Kong’s legal job market: Predictions for the coming year
In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Rob Green, CEO of GRM, provides his analysis of the past 12 months in legal recruitment in Hong Kong. And what we might expect for the rest of the year. Given the past 12 months, how has Hong Kong’s […]
India Battles to Survive Covid-19
A slipping economic growth in India hit with a rude jolt by the WHO declare-pandemic. Which is threatening to wipe out many global economies. Covid-19’s sudden spike in March is wreaking havoc. And to contain the fast-spreading outbreak, India enter into a self-imposed near-total lockdown of […]
The story of Malaysia’s #1 Legal App. An interview with June Low, Founder, EasyLaw
In 2016, June Low Founded EasyLaw. 1 out of 4 lawyers in Malaysia is using the app now. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Low details the story of this remarkable legal startup. And what inspired her to pursue a career in legal tech. You […]
COVID-19 Legal Workflow to help legal teams manage pandemic-related issues
Australian law firm Gadens and legal-tech company Lawcadia are releasing the COVID-19 Legal Workflow. It is in response to the deluge of legal issues corporate and government teams are now facing. And they will continue to face, as a result of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. […]
New online community for legal marketing and business development professionals launched. An interview with William McLaughlin, Managing Member, BD Roundtable
In February, 2020, Bangkok-based legal business development professional William McLaughlin launched BDRoundtable.com. A private online community for legal marketing and business development professionals. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, McLaughlin details what inspired BD Roundtable’s creation and what’s in store for its’ future. He also […]
The unique value proposition of document automation platforms for law firms and the general counsel. An interview with Malik Anwar, Director of Asia operations, Clarilis
Legal technology business Clarilis recently opened an office in Singapore, appointing industry veteran Malik Anwar as Director of Asia operations. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Anwar outlines the value proposition of document automation platforms to law firms and the general counsel. Clarilis’ future plans […]
Meet the Team at GRM: Asia’s Most Decorated Legal Recruitment Agency
GRM was born in Hong Kong in January 2009, when Rob Green, GRM’s CEO, moved to Hong Kong from the Cayman Islands, with no prior knowledge of the city or the Asian legal market. In the middle of the global financial crisis, GRM was born. The aim […]
The current state of legal innovation in Singapore. An interview with Josh Lee Kok Thong, Chairperson, Asia Pacific Legal Innovation and Technology Association (ALITA)
Josh Lee Kok Thong is Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Legal Innovation and Technology Association (ALITA). In this interview with Asia Law Portal, he provides his unique insights into the current state of legal innovation in Singapore. And what’s in store for the future. Based in […]
The current state of legal innovation in Malaysia. An interview with Daniel Lui, Co-Founder, LawTech Malaysia
Malaysia has long been a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship in the legal services sector in the Asia-Pacific region. In this wide-ranging interview with Asia Law Portal, Daniel Lui, Co-Founder of LawTech Malaysia, explains the state of legal innovation in Malaysia in 2020. What is LawTech […]
India’s Finance Budget and slipping economic growth
The Union Finance Budget is here without much in it for foreign investors. The economy remains a point of discussion with global financial institutions as recovery does not appear in the horizon. While Coronavirus has not directly hit India, it is feeling the effect in different […]
Lawyer-to-lawyer document marketplace launched: Lexub
New shared-economy legal document marketplace offers lawyers democratisation of precedents and monetisation of documents
Singapore’s first online personal legal services platform. An interview with Alvin T’ng, Founder, WillCraft
WillCraft (WillCraftNow.com) is Singapore’s first online personal legal services platform. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Founder Alvin T’ng explains what motivated WillCraft’s founding, its’ services offer, how it works with local law firms, how customers find the service, T’ng’s transition from legal practice to […]
Neota Legal Tech networking event set for Singapore, Thursday, March 19
Neota invites their valued customers, partners and anyone with an interest in Neota and the LegalTech space, to a chance to network and learn from each other, as well as the Neota team at their Neota Network (N²) event in Singapore on Thursday 19th March. Neota aims […]
Law firm marketing – Making sense of puzzling propositions
In the legal profession, traditionally a lot of business ‘walked-in’ based on the reputation of the Firm or due to equity created by some prominent lawyers in the firm. However, with intense competition among Firms that have similar kinds of talent pool and increase pricing pressure […]
Cambodia’s Startup Scene: Young, Vibrant and Promising. An Interview with Sreypeou Chaing, Managing Partner, CSP & Associates
Sreypeou Chaing is Managing Partner of CSP & Associates and Legal Advisor with Cambodia Startup Advisers. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, she details the current startup environment in Cambodia. Including what venture capital investors should be thinking about when investing in Cambodian startups, the work […]
Will 2020 be make or break year for India’s economy?
The Government of India should be ready with its new year resolutions and timelines to achieve the same. As 2020 ushered in the lowest GDP forecast in the last 11 years. It continues the year-end gloomy economic situation in the country. The Government has an opportunity […]
Insights on Marketing a Hong Kong Barrister’s Chambers. An interview with Aparna Bundro, Director of Practice Development, DesVoeux Chambers
Aparna Bundro is Director of Practice Development for DesVoeux Chambers in Hong Kong. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, how her lawyer background helped her transition into legal marketing and business development. The difference between marketing for a barrister’s chambers versus a commercial law firm, […]
The unique role of the legal startup CMO. An interview with Sacha Kirk, Co-Founder, Lawcadia
Sacha Kirk is Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Australia-based legal startup Lawcadia. Named to Asia Law Portal’s 12 legal tech startup founders to follow in the Asia-Pacific region in 2020. Kirk explains in this interview with Asia Law Portal what inspired Lawcadia’s founding, its’ […]
A book review of “The Real Deal: Law Firm Leadership That Works” by Paul Smith and Sally Dyson
Lawyers generally have an inbuilt scepticism regarding any form of coaching. Which imposes a high bar on authors targeting an audience of busy managing partners. The Real Deal: Law Firm Leadership That Works by Paul Smith and Sally Dyson. It vaults over that bar with consummate […]
In conversation with Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque (Judge, the High Court of Kerala) on legal tech, space law and ADR in India
What made you interested in space law? I began my career as a lawyer. While practising at the High Court, it dawned upon me that the scope of the legal profession is much beyond what I had actually understood it to be. It was around this […]
More pathways could be opened to Singapore Bar – what does this mean for NewLaw?
Last week, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon made an exciting announcement. An initiative that could revolutionise the legal profession in Singapore. CJ Menon called for there to be different routes into the Singapore Bar. Whether that’s mid-career switchers from non-law backgrounds or students who study Science, Technology, […]
Opportunities for startups and venture capital investors in Vietnam: An interview with Hoang Minh Duc, Special Counsel, Duane Morris
Hoang Minh Duc advises clients in corporate & MA matters as special counsel with Duane Morris Vietnam, the Vietnamese subsidiary of Duane Morris LLP (US). In this interview with Asia Law Portal, he details the most important opportunities. And challenges he sees for corporate clients in […]
The current state of legal innovation in South Korea. An interview with Narae Lee, General Counsel, Blockcrafters
Narae Lee is General Counsel of Seoul-based Blockchain Accelerator Blockcrafters, and Organizer of Seoul Legal Hackers. In this interview, she explains Blockcraft’s work. And her work as a corporate legal counsel and lawyer both in government and private practice. The current state of legal entrepreneurship in […]
Technology and IP partner Jonathan Kok hired as part of Withers tech’s expansion in Asia
Withers KhattarWong LLP, the Singapore office of international law firm Withers, has boosted its Technology and Intellectual Property (IP) capabilities in Singapore with the hire of partner Jonathan Kok. Jonathan joins Withers from RHTLaw Taylor Wessing, where he was the Head of its Intellectual Property & Technology Practice. […]
Why Should India Adopt the Kerala Model Community Mediation Volunteer System?
Kerala is always a step ahead in development in comparision to other states in India. It’s been so vibrant because of its multi cultural ethnicity. Hence it’s famous as gods own country. Now Kerala has introduced a new mechanism for dispute resolution at the grassroots level. […]
How legal business development and marketing is evolving in Asia. An interview with Roy Ang of Withers
Roy Ang is Head of Marketing and Business Development (Asia Pacific) at Withers. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, he explains the unique opportunities and challenges of the role, the differences between legal marketing in the private and public sectors, how he helped quadruple the […]
Interview with Kert Stavorn on Legal Tech and Innovation in Thailand: Founder of Siam Legal Tech Center
In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Kert Stavorn, Founder of Siam Legal Tech Center, explains the current state of legal tech and innovation in Thailand, including what inspired the founding of the Siam Legal Tech Center and its’ mission, what the Siam Legal Alliance Blockchain […]
India Ends 2019 on a Significantly Weak Economic Note
The Indian economy did not have any recovery on the economic front as per data released by 2 global financial institutions. The Personal Data Protection Bill made the much-awaited comeback to the forefront when it was introduced in Parliament. India’s regional trade and growth potential remains […]
12 Legal Tech Startup Founders in Asia to Follow in 2020
As Siam Legal Tech Center details on their website, the ASEAN region has seen “double digit growth in all digital segments including internet penetration, social media usage and mobile connectivity”. As a result, online legal services in the region have blossomed in this environment – with […]
Reflections on over two decades in the business of law in Asia: An interview with Patrick Dransfield, Co-Director, In-House Community
Patrick Dransfield first came to Asia in 1986 where he lived in Beijing. He later went on to a career working in the business of law beginning in Hong Kong in 1996. Educated in Art History and East Asia Studies, Dransfield has worked in legal publishing […]
How pro bono lawyers are helping make the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics a reality
In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Shoichi Sugiyama explains how pro bono lawyers from the Tokyo 2020 pro bono lawyers services project are helping make the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics a reality
Legal Experts Predict 2020 Trends in Asia Pacific Region Infrastructure Development
Leading infrastructure lawyers from Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, India and Japan predict the most significant trends in Asia-Pacific region infrastructure development in 2020
Cybersecurity Law: Thailand
Thailand has rapidly grown its digital economy, and has made a concerted push towards technological innovation. As technology has evolved within the country, however, so has the threat of cybersecurity issues.
India: Economic Growth Dips to Slowest in 26 Quarters
The Indian economy recorded its slowest growth in 26 quarters knocking in fears of a recession. While the Government denied this, the dipping growth rate continues to be the focus of global financial institutions. Foreign investment inflows increased compared to last year providing some hope and […]
The Philippine’s first on-demand online legal solutions platform. An interview with Marlon Valderama, President & CEO, LexMeet
LexMeet is the Philippine’s first on-demand online legal solutions platform. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, LexMeet’s President & CEO, Marlon Valderama, explains what inspired the company’s founding, its services offer to lawyers and legal consumers, it’s geographic scope, market acceptance, future plans – as […]
India’s mobile app for lawyers: An interview with Dr. Arvind Singhatiya, CEO, LegalKart
LegalKart is an India-based technology platform that helps lawyers manage their legal practices. The firm uses artificial intelligence to connect qualified clients to lawyers — thereby helping lawyers build and grow their practices In this interview with Asia Law Portal, LegalKart Founder and CEO – Dr. […]
Why Malaysia Should Amend Its Cyber Security Laws
The Malaysian Parliament has passed several cyber-related laws since 1997. However, many of these laws have never been revised or amended since their enactment. This article touches on the relevant legislations to be amended and revised by the Government to protect the cyber realm in Malaysia.
Law firm MDS KhanLex launches Mongolia’s first ‘robot lawyer’
14 November 2019. Ulaanbaatar. MDS KhanLex launches Mongolia’s first ‘robot lawyer’ — profit-shares with staff — prepares for launch of legaltech research institute Top-tier Mongolian law firm MDS KhanLex has launched ‘iGeree’ – an online contract automation and AI chatbot platform focused initially on employment law, […]
LawRato: India’s interactive online legal advice platform. An interview with Founder & CEO, Rohan Mahajan
LawRato.com is an interactive online platform that enables an individual to find experienced lawyers in any court or city in India. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, LawRato.com’s Founder & CEO Rohan Mahajan explains what inspired the company’s founding, its’ geographical reach and plans for […]
LexpertEase: Nepal’s first and only legal tech platform: An interview with Founder Kailash Panday
LexpertEase is Nepal’s first and only legal tech platform. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, LexpertaEase Founder Kailash Panday explains the firm’s focus and what inspired its’ founding, how technology is impacting Nepal’s legal market, LexpertEase’s local and international services offer and its’ goals for […]
Some law firms in Asia are now accepting virtual currency
As Wong Joon Ian has reported in The Business Times: “The future of money is built in Asia” — noting that in excess of $1.8 billion dollars in cryptocurrencies are traded on Asian exchanges ever day — representing almost 60% of the world’s daily crypto trade […]
The current state of legal recruitment in Hong Kong. An interview with Rob Green, CEO of GRM
Hong Kong is a key conduit of foreign direct investment into and out of mainland China, and increasingly – a vital locale for Belt and Road infrastructure related legal work. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Rob Green, CEO of GRM, provides his in-depth insights […]
Importance of financing for Vietnam’s BOT ventures
With the Ministry of Transport recently cancelling the international bidding process and replacing it with domestic bidding for the North-South Expressway project, the feasibility for bank loans is put on the top shelf of concerns. Lawyers Le Net, Le Thanh Hieu, and Vo Phuong Thao from […]
How Reed Smith is globalizing innovation initiatives. An interview with Adam Curphey
Global law firm Reed Smith recently appointed Adam Curphey as Innovation Engagement Manager. Curphey’s focus is working “with the firm’s lawyers, Practice Innovation and IT development teams to implement ideas to drive internal efficiencies, as well as identify collaboration opportunities with Reed Smith’s clients to deliver […]
India: Doing Business Ranking the only Face-Saver
India’s improvement in the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking is the only bright spot in a lackluster economy that desperately needs reassurance of a revival. It’s akin to the Diwali sparkle which lights up India around this time but belies the darkness for the rest of […]
How Withers KhattarWong LLP is navigating Singapore’s highly competitive legal market: An interview with Managing Partner Deborah Barker
After a lengthy collaboration and formal alliance between Withers LLP and the former KhattarWong LLP, Withers KhattarWong LLP came into being in early 2019. The alliance has created the second largest law firm in Singapore, offering a full range of legal services to corporations, institutions and […]
Tricky tactics and quirky questions: how to find a lawyer that’s the right fit
Should we be adopting the mindgaming exploits of Meryl Streep’s character Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada”, to find out if your candidate is the best fit for your team? The menacing fashion editor’s interrogatory questions renders Anne Hathaway’s character almost speechless in the famous […]
Private equity invests in NewLaw firm Axiom: Commentary from Axiom’s CEO and APAC-region legal industry leaders
Axiom Law, one of NewLaw’s pioneering companies, both internationally and in Asia, has announced a new private equity investment from Permira, a major investor in LegalZoom. The new investment comes after a recent planned initial public offering (IPO) was cancelled. As Thomas Allen details in Legal […]
Realising Indonesia’s new national capital city: HFW to host seminar in Jakarta
Realising Indonesia’s new national capital city: opportunities and challenges
Pros of sandbox regulation for fintech
With the development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the application of digital technologies for providing financial services has become the key driver in promoting financial inclusion. However, the industry’s growth will not only depend on investments, new technologies, or smartphone penetration, but will also require a […]
India: Will Corporate Tax Cut Revive Growth or Widen Fiscal Deficit
The mounting pressure of a sagging economy and sharp economic growth forecast reductions by global institutions, the Government of India announced significant tax relief to corporates. However, while this seemed to cheer the industry and may be a stimulus in the short term, experts have warned […]
A World of Difference: Cambridge Global Conversations
A Conversation with DVC’s Daniel Fung SC, QC, GBS, JP, FCIArb By Aparna Bundro, Practice Development Director, Des Voeux Chambers Many of today’s most fundamental conversations about global problems take place in an echo-chamber where only existing perceptions are reinforced. CGC, the newly set up education […]
Funding boost and award win for Australian legal tech company
Brisbane-based legal technology company Lawcadia announces that it has recently raised $1.3 million in a pre-Series A round from a number of private investors and Artesian, a leading Australian alternative investments and venture capital firm.
Implications of the New China Foreign Investment Law
A discussion of the new China Foreign Investment Law and the creation of an Expert Committee to produce template documents for in-house counsel. By Robert Lewis of docQbot, with an introduction by Patrick Dransfield of the In-House Community.
Dispute Resolution in Thailand: An Overview
In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Pisut Rakwong and David Lawrence of Pisut & Partners explain the dispute resolution system in Thailand and how companies and foreign investors might effectively navigate it. What is the current institutional architecture for commercial arbitration in Thailand? Commercial arbitration is handled by two main organisations, […]
New Anti-Corruption Regime for Commercial Organisations in Malaysia
The MACC Amendment Act introduces a new Section 17A, which provides that a commercial organisation is deemed to commit an offence if any person associated with the commercial organisation corruptly gives, agrees to give, promises or offers to any person any gratification to obtain or retain business or advantage for the organisation. Subsection 17A(6) stipulates that a ‘person associated’ with a ‘commercial organisation’ may include directors, partners, and employees of the commercial organisation, as well as any person ‘who performs services for or on behalf of the commercial organisation’.
Strategic Alliance on Corporate Advisory and Services between Haeme Hashim & Co, Kuala Lumpur and Loggerhead Partners, Dubai.
In July 2019, Haeme Hashim & Co. has entered into a strategic alliance with Loggerhead Partners (“Loggerhead”), a corporate advisory and management consulting services firm based in Dubai, UAE. Currently, Loggerhead also has two other operating offices in Cyprus and Switzerland.
India economic slowdown: Stimulus to Slow the Slowdown
The Government finally took some recourse to revise the slowing India economy by introducing a stimulus economic package. The foreign direct investment limits were further liberalized to add possibly as part of the stimulus. The slowdown was now reported by Moody’s as well. The Personal Data […]
Will discretion abide as long as the rules provide?
What you need to know about reopening a receiver’s fees after assessmentas confirmed in the novel case of Ho Chor Ming & Ors v Hong Kong ChiuChow Po Hing Buddhism Association Ltd [2018] 3 HKLRD 270 Introduction Shareholder disputes are commonplace. When a membership dispute arises, […]
Appointment of Full Service, National Law Firm KSK Expands Alliott Group’s Presence in India
Full-service Pan India law firm King Stubb & Kasiva (‘KSK’) has agreed to join Alliott Group, one of the world’s fastest-growing alliances of law and accounting firms. The appointment enables KSK to offer a comprehensive range of legal services to the clients of Alliott Group member […]
Whither private practice?
Smarter Law: Transforming Busy Lawyers into Business Leaders by Trevor Faure Book Review (Part 2) Forgive me for starting on a negative note but the chances are that many of you are unlikely to get beyond the third paragraph of this article, less likely still to pull […]
New legal tech company CodeLex aims to streamline the practice of law
Legal technology company CodeLex is a developer of legaltech projects as part of the Irbis Ventures (formerly ‘M Lab’) ecosystem. Incorporated in Mongolia and Singapore, and with a core team based in Ulaanbaatar, Singapore and Tokyo, CodeLex projects aim to streamline and add value to the […]