7 February, 2017
International law firm Gowling WLG has formed an exclusive association with JurisAsia LLC, a Singapore firm specialising in IP and corporate law.
JurisAsia has been formed by a number of lawyers led by partner Sheena Jacob who has an international reputation as one of Singapore's leading IP lawyers. Sheena is a former head of IP at Bird & Bird ATMD. With a strong international client following, Sheena is qualified to practice in Singapore, New York and England & Wales. Sheena is also a partner of Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.
The IP team also includes Arthur Yap who has joined from Eldan Law LLC where he was a partner advising on franchise, trademark, copyright and patent disputes. Arthur previously worked for firms including Bird & Bird ATMD and Tan Kok Quan Partnership.
Three further IP lawyers are soon to join JurisAsia to create a five strong team providing a comprehensive Singapore IP service.
JurisAsia LLC’s other area of specialisation is corporate law. Senior associate Teo Jia Yun is already providing a strong corporate capability with a wealth of experience in cross border M&A and capital markets.
Gowling WLG is an international law firm formed through the combination of Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co and Gowlings. It has been in Singapore since 2012 and is headed by Andrew Dobson. Andrew is a dispute resolution lawyer whose main interests are in the ASEAN countries where he advises in arbitral tribunals in Singapore and Malaysia. He also assists large corporates and private wealth clients all over the world.
Gowling WLG also specialises in private wealth with a team headed by Zac Lucas who advises wealthy Asian business families on family governance, family councils, family charters, family shareholder agreements and the creation of bespoke private trust company and governance trust structures and arrangements.
The Gowling WLG and JurisAsia association will enable them to recommend each other's services to clients. With its local Singapore law capability, JurisAsia will be able to advise Gowling WLG clients on legal matters in the city and other regional jurisdictions. The arrangement will also enable JurisAsia to access legal services provided by Gowling WLG in its 18 offices around the world including in Canada, Europe and the Middle East.
Sheena Jacob, partner and head of JurisAsia, said: "This association builds on already well established relationships between individuals in both firms. We both have a similar focus on client satisfaction and delivering innovative solutions to their problems. Singapore is a global business hub, and an increasingly important IP hub, and more and more international businesses are making it their favoured south east Asian location. We will be able to offer access to a global network of lawyers in some of the world's most dynamic markets where many of our successful Singaporean clients are looking to invest and do business."
Andrew Dobson, managing partner, Gowling WLG Singapore, said: "Our global strategy has been to focus on the most dynamic and progressive legal and business markets in the world. Singapore has been an important and successful part of that strategy. Since arriving, we have established numerous new regional clients as well as advising many more of our global clients on matters across Southeast Asia. The association with JurisAsia is a logical and very important next step in broadening the range of services which our clients can access."
Quentin Poole, UK head of international projects, Gowling WLG, said: "Singapore is immensely successful, both in its own right and as a gateway to the ASEAN region. We have been delighted with our International practice there and it was a logical next step for us to form an association with a local firm to enable us to work together in serving the needs of our clients in Singapore, Asia Pacific and globally. JurisAsia is the ideal firm with teams of outstanding corporate and IP lawyers. Doubtless it will expand its practice areas further in the coming months and years".
