Mishcon de Reya has opened an office in Singapore to focus on delivering legal services to high net worth families across south east Asia.
The firm will offer advice on international tax and succession planning, private capital investments, restructuring and debt financing transactions.
The office is a licensed foreign law practice.
Changing landscape
Kevin Gold, executive chair at Mishcon de Reya, said: “Singapore is the centre of professional services talent in the region and, as such, is attracting capital from the entire region.
“Having a physical presence here represents our commitment to both Asia and its people, and will be key to enabling us to build meaningful relationships with our clients and intermediaries.
“The review we undertook into how we meet our clients’ needs internationally was driven not only by the uncertainty of a post-Brexit UK landscape and changes to the legal market, but by the enormous macro-economic shift of the last decade, where the east has outstripped the west in terms of economic growth and opportunity.
“The decision to open this office in Singapore is, in large part, a reflection of this.”
Management
The Singapore office will be an extension of Mishcon de Reya’s London office.
A team from Withers KhattarWong in Singapore will join the firm to set up the operation.
Tahirah Ara will take up the roles of managing partner of Singapore and head of Asia.
She was previously a partner at Withers KhattarWong and co-head of its business group for Asia.
Ara is joined by partner Simon Michaels, a international wealth planning practitioner in Singapore and special counsel Lawrence Altman, a US-qualified finance lawyer with over 15 years’ experience in Asia.
The team will also be made up of several associates and administrative staff.
