Law Firm Goodwin To Open Singapore Office

SINGAPORE – As more global law firms shift their focus in Asia to Singapore, Goodwin Procter is poised to establish a presence in the city-state, reported Law.com on Wednesday (22 June, SGT).

Sources from inside the law firm disclosed that it has applied for a Foreign Law Practice License from Singapore’s Ministry of Law, although it has yet to be approved.

The opening of Goodwin Procter’s Singapore office comes as more international law firms expand their services and offering in the city-state.

As part of its expansion in Asia, Goodwin has separately recruited former Kirkland & Ellis partner Daniel Dusek for its Hong Kong office, two sources from the law firm shared.

In the last 18 months, the law firm has increased its manpower in Asia with the recruitment of Edwin Chan from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; and Wendy Pan from Sidley Austin; as well as former Simpson Thacher & Bartlett lawyers Elyn Xing and Philip Culhane as partners.

For Kirkland, Dusek is its 4th partner to leave Hong Kong this year. Earlier in June, the law firm’s long-time funds partner Xing Liyong was poached by Clifford Chance.

In the past few months, several law firms have pivoted their Asia focus to Singapore. Addleshaw Goddard announced in May it intends to shutter its Hong Kong office, while McDermott Will & Emery relaunched in Asia through Singapore one year after closing its China office.

Last year, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe revealed that it was launching a Singapore office 12 months after shuttering its branch in Hong Kong.

A number of law firms have closed their Hong Kong offices in the past few years, including Baker Botts, which announced the closure in December. Furthermore, many partners in law firms have left Hong Kong to practice elsewhere.