COVER STORY: ALB EMPLOYER OF CHOICE 2020 In this annual ranking, ALB lists the best law firms to work for in each major jurisdiction in Asia. Law firms are listed on the basis of recommendations from their lawyers, as well as ALB’s market knowledge. To vote for your firm, please click here. |
FEATURE: BREXIT Brexit has happened, and now Asian companies beginning to review their investment strategies. We speak to lawyers about the risks Asian companies face, and how lawyers are helping them prepare. |
REPORT: SINGAPORE Singapore saw S$3.13 billion in IPO proceeds last year, with a whopping 98% being contributed by REITs. We speak to real estate as well as capital markets lawyers about how these are generating big legal work. |
MANAGING PARTNER ROUNDTABLE: PHILIPPINES One of the brighter spots economically last year in the Southeast Asian region, the Philippines is bustling with strong consumption growth, increased remittances, moderate inflation, growing infrastructure spending and foreign investment. This healthy business environment and positive outlook has spurred demand for corporate legal services. We speak to leaders of local law firms about their strategies for the coming years. |
FEATURE: RENEWABLE ENERGY Technological innovations and favourable government policies are among the chief trends expected to drive Southeast Asia’s transition to renewable energy in the coming years. Each of ASEAN’s 10 members has set targets for renewable energy, and technological innovations such as better solar power efficiency and floating solar panels mean that renewable energy is now more accessible than ever before. We speak to energy lawyers in the region about the trends they are seeing. |
LIST: INDIA’S FIRMS TO WATCH 2019 As companies look to cope with a sluggish economy, one of the ways they are cutting legal costs is by moving away from bigger firms and turning instead to smaller, nimbler outfits. Luckily for them, India has seen the rise of some quality smaller outfits that are punching well above their weight in terms of work handled and services delivered. This list features 10 of them. To take part, please email [email protected] and [email protected]. |
FEATURE: LEGAL EDUCATION Technology is now impacting the legal industry in multiple ways, including reducing overhead costs for law firms, improving communication among lawyers and their clients, and cultivating an innovative culture. But are law schools doing enough to train their graduates accordingly? We investigate. |
FEATURE: CYBERSECURITY Law firms today face four major types of cybersecurity risks: phishing or hacked email accounts; ransomware; leaks of sensitive data; and the risk of legal malpractice allegations due to poor cybersecurity. We speak to lawyers about how they are tackling these. |
REPORT: MALAYSIA According to news reports, the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) proposes to amend Malaysia’s competition law to introduce merger control provisions sometime this year. Given the new provisions would enable MyCC to approve or reject mergers and acquisitions, or impose conditions on potential deals, this will be a game-changer in the merger and acquisition space in Malaysia. We speak to lawyers about their views. |
FEATURE: INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING Defaults across Asia may be headed even higher in 2020, with trouble seen especially in China and India. For example, many investors expect fewer bailouts by the Chinese government after it recently let commodities trader Tewoo Group default in the biggest failure on a dollar bond by a state-owned firm in two decades. We speak to lawyers about how this is impacting their flow of work. |
FEATURE: DISPUTES India is planning a new law to safeguard foreign investment by speeding up dispute resolution. The Finance Ministry has proposed appointing a mediator and setting up fast-track courts to settle disputes between investors and the government. We speak to lawyers about the current situation with regards to enforcement of contracts and speedy dispute resolution. |
