- Firm names new Managing Partners of branches in Hong Kong and UAE
Leading international law firm Mishcon de Reya has announced that it has opened two new offices in the United Arab Emirates and that it has been granted a licence to practise as a firm of solicitors by the Law Society of Hong Kong.
United Arab Emirates
Mishcon de Reya has announced the launch of two new offices in the United Arab Emirates, for the provision of legal services, to meet the growing demands of its clients as well as the increasing capital, business and family interests and opportunities in the region.
The launch follows the successful establishment of MDR Mayfair (a Mishcon de Reya Group Company) in 2017, a dedicated family office consultancy.
The new offices will work with international corporations, family offices, families and individuals, offering legal services in corporate, commercial, employment, technology and media, real estate, IP, dispute resolution and private client work.
Christopher Skipper has been appointed Managing Partner of the UAE offices. Chris has over 20 years' experience in M&A, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, corporate structuring and reorganisation, corporate governance, and private equity, across a wide range of sectors.
He has been practising in the Middle East for over 14 years, advising business owners, family offices, UHNWIs and equity investors, as well as private, institutional, government and quasi-government entities.
Chris Skipper commented:
“Mishcon de Reya has a rich history of successfully advising clients and helping them navigate complex and often very personal matters.
For over 30 years, the firm has advised a variety of clients, including family offices, UHNW individuals and corporate entities, across the Middle East & North Africa region and already has a deep understanding of the market.
As we have witnessed the increasing flow of capital, business and family interests settle in the region, the opening of offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai is a natural development for us so that we can better serve our clients in the world’s fastest growing global financial centres and wider region.
Mishcon de Reya's core values of excellence, collegiality and the understanding that business was, is and always will be, personal, form the foundation on which we operate.
I look forward to welcoming my new partners and colleagues in the UAE, as we continue to expand over the coming months, and aim to strengthen Mishcon de Reya’s reputation as a leading and trusted advisor across the MENA region.”
Hong Kong
Mishcon de Reya LLP entered the Hong Kong market almost four years ago, through an association with Karas So LLP, with the intent to become certified to practise local law. This association will continue and offer greater opportunities for mutual collaboration to achieve connected growth.
The Mishcon de Reya LLP office in Hong Kong, led by Wei Zhang (with Jonathan Mok and team joining from Karas So LLP) will focus on private client, family and non-contentious work, including international tax and wealth planning, immigration, family office advisory, family law, corporate and employment advice.
Karas So LLP, led by Managing Partner Jason Karas and Kevin So, will continue to focus on dispute resolution including major litigation and international arbitration, insolvency, fraud, asset recovery, and professional negligence, with leading disputes lawyer Mark Davis joining Karas So LLP from Mishcon de Reya.
The firm has also appointed Patrick Yip as Asia Vice Chair. Patrick is admitted as a lawyer in California and is a Chartered Public Accountant who led the Deloitte private tax offering in Hong Kong as vice-chair of Deloitte China. He will focus on growing the firm’s tax and private client offering in Hong Kong and across Asia with a particular focus on China and the Chinese diaspora.
The Hong Kong office of Mishcon de Reya LLP includes Hong Kong, English and New York qualified lawyers and, across Singapore and Hong Kong, including the associated office of Karas So, the firm has more than 60 fee-earners in the region.
Wei Zhang, Managing Partner of Mishcon de Reya LLP in Hong Kong, said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as Managing Partner of Mishcon de Reya LLP in Hong Kong at this exciting time for our firm. Our ambition is to build one of the leading private client firms in Asia. We have exceptional lawyers in our Hong Kong firm with skills and experience across all aspects of private client work. And we have the benefit of drawing on the expertise of our colleagues across the world to ensure that we deliver exceptional results for our clients, whatever their need. I look forward to growing our business and bringing the best of our firm to our clients.”
Jason Karas, Managing Partner of Karas So LLP said:
"This evolution of the successful association between Karas So LLP and Mishcon de Reya will allow us to deliver best-in-class private client expertise alongside our deep expertise in resolving some of the largest and most complex disputes in the region and internationally. Congratulations to Wei on her appointment as Managing Partner of the Mishcon de Reya LLP Hong Kong office - she is one of the standout private client lawyers in Asia.The two firms are powered by top tier senior talent including Timothy Burns, Jonathan Mok, Patrick Yip, Kevin So and Mark Davis. We look forward to continuing our connected collaboration for the enhanced benefit of our clients."
Tahirah Ara, Managing Partner of Mishcon de Reya Singapore and Head of Asia, commented:
“Our connected offering across the international centres of business and wealth in Asia and the MENA region means that we are able to offer our clients exceptional legal services wherever they’re living and doing business. Our approach in Asia and MENA advances our international strategy that recognises the increasing need to provide both geographic and economic connectivity between the world's fastest growing and most innovative markets.”
International plans take off under MV2030
These changes usher in the next phase of the firm’s international expansion plans, as set out in the firm’s new strategy MV2030. The firm has always had an international client base and many of its clients – wealthy individuals and families, IP-rich businesses, and large real estate investors – are inherently international.
Kevin Gold, Chair of International at Mishcon de Reya, said:
“With some of the fastest growing economies in the world, Asia and the UAE have never been more important markets, offering significant opportunities for entrepreneurs, family businesses and global companies alike.
“Working alongside our colleagues in Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, our teams across London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Israel and in MDR Mayfair will all be able to offer clients a truly international service. Our focus is simple: to deliver the highest quality legal services and fiercely guard our clients' interests. Wherever our clients are in the world we appreciate the privilege of sitting alongside them as a trusted adviser.”