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Nabarro moves into Asia
24 September 2010
Law firm Nabarro LLP is expanding into the Asian market, with the opening of an office in Singapore in November.
The office will initially focus on construction and engineering arbitration and will be led by partner Emerson Holmes. The decision to open the office was taken due to the growing reputation of Singapore as a leading independent international arbitration centre, and the strength of the firm's construction arbitration practice. With the continuing growth and development of all of the major economies in Asia, the firm believes it can successfully develop one of the region's leading specialist construction arbitration practices.
Emerson Holmes is currently a partner in the firm's construction and engineering disputes group in London and specialises in construction and engineering arbitration and mediation. Having spent three years based in Hong Kong, he has significant experience of acting for international companies in arbitration and litigation globally, including specifically in Asia. Emerson was part of the working party established by the United Nations to amend the UNCITRAL Model Law on Procurement, including construction projects.
A number of the firm's current construction and engineering clients and contacts have operations in Singapore and in the wider Asian region, which the firm will be able to support through the new office.
The office will give the firm its first base in Asia, opening up further opportunities in the region. It will also complement the Singapore office of the firm's German alliance partner, GSK Stockmann & Kollegen, which has a broad based commercial practice focused primarily on German companies operating in the area.
The office will be based in the Central Business District. Internationally, Nabarro LLP also has an office in Brussels for EU work and its alliance with August & Debouzy in France, GSK Stockmann + Kollegen in Germany and Nunziante Magrone in Italy, will continue as before.
Commenting on the expansion, senior partner Simon Johnston said:
"This is a significant strategic move for the firm, where we feel both the economic growth in Asia and the development of Singapore as a leading international centre for arbitration, gives us a great opportunity to develop a leading international arbitration practice that will complement the firm's existing client base and practice areas. As a firm, we are very excited about the new venture."
Commenting on the move, partner Emerson Holmes said:
"The firm has a great heritage in construction and engineering disputes, and it is that expertise we feel which will give us a leading edge in Singapore and the Asian market. There was a really strong business case for the opening of a Singapore office, and it fits perfectly with our growth strategy."
