Asia Business Law Journal

17/10/2025

PunoLaw senior partner joins Philippines’ Department of Energy https://law.asia/punolaw-partner-appointed-doe-assistant-secretary/

The Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines has appointed Manila-based firm PunoLaw’s senior partner Maria Lethel C Alburo-Mejia as assistant secretary, effective 1 October.

Ranulfo Payos of PunoLaw told Asia Business Law Journal that although Alburo-Mejia would no longer be at PunoLaw during her tenure at the DOE, the firm fully supports her in this important national service.

Payos added that, as assistant secretary, Alburo-Mejia would serve as the principal aide to the Secretary of Energy, Sharon S Garin, ensuring the effective co-ordination, management and ex*****on of the secretary’s priorities, directives and engagements.

Since joining PunoLaw in March 2005, she represented both private and government sponsors in relation to the development of power and infrastructure projects.

17/10/2025

International firm Bird & Bird has hired Andrew MacGeoch as partner and Asia-Pacific co-head of hotels, hospitality and leisure to boost its real estate and hospitality offering in Singapore.

“We will use Singapore as our regional hub to tap into activity from key markets like Hong Kong, connecting Asian projects and capital with Europe and beyond,” Simon Price of Bird & Bird, told Asia Business Law Journal.

MacGeoch has joined Bird & Bird after eight years as a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) in Hong Kong.

MacGeoch will be based in Singapore as a registered foreign lawyer, alongside counsel Leanne Sim and senior associate Sharonrose Tan, both former BCLP lawyers.

International firm Bird & Bird has hired Andrew MacGeoch as partner and Asia-Pacific co-head of hotels, hospitality and leisure to boost...

17/10/2025

Morrison Foerster (M**o) has advised Japanese technology company SoftBank Group on its USD5.375 billion definitive agreement to acquire Swiss machine automation company ABB’s robotics business, with Freshfields acting for ABB.

M**o’s Gary Brown told Asia Business Law Journal that the transaction was a “complex carve-out” of ABB’s robotics business from its global operations.

Ken Siegel, Brown, Stuart Alford and Luke Rowland led the M**o team.

Meanwhile, Freshfields' Piers Prichard Jones, Tom Godwin, Stephen Hewes, and Piusha Bose provided counsel for ABB.

Morrison Foerster (M**o) has advised Japanese technology company SoftBank Group on its USD5.375 billion definitive agreement...

17/10/2025

Asia Business Law Journal is conducting extensive research for the 2025 Philippines Law Firm Awards, the results of which will be announced in the next edition of ABLJ.

As part of this process, we are requesting nominations from in-house counsel, corporate executives and legal professionals globally.

Access the nomination form below 👇
https://research.law.asia/zs/45CIoP

Anyone with knowledge or experience of the quality of services provided by Filipino law firms during 2025 is welcome to make nominations.

The deadline for making nominations is October 31, 2025.

We are looking forward to your participation!

Asia Business Law Journal is conducting extensive research for the 2025 Philippines Law Firm Awards, the results of which will be announced in the next edition of ABLJ.

17/10/2025

LAW Partnership forms regional alliance in Malaysia https://law.asia/law-partnership-forms-regional-alliance-with-lee-tengku-azrina-malaysia/

Kuala Lumpur-based firm LAW Partnership has formed a three-year strategic alliance with Johor Bahru firm Lee & Tengku Azrina to expand its regional presence.

“Our goal is to enhance regional reach and to provide legal support across Malaysia’s major commercial hubs, connecting clients in Kuala Lumpur and the southern region...” Brian Law of LAW Partnership, told ABLJ.

“By combining our complementary strengths, we are better positioned to support clients in complex, cross-regional matters,” Lee Ting Kiat of Lee & Tengku Azrina, told ABLJ.

Both firms have established an integration plan that will be implemented shortly, said Lee.

17/10/2025

The Association of Corporate Counsel Singapore (ACC Singapore) members converged on Drew & Napier’s office at Ocean Financial Centre for a legal update session, entitled What’s Cooking: What In-house Counsel Need to Know About Recent Developments in Singapore Law.

As an ACC Singapore partner, Drew & Napier regularly collaborates with the association to organise educational and social events designed to keep in-house counsel informed and connected.

Leading the discussion were Drew & Napier’s directors, Mahesh Rai and Tian Kai Loh, with associate director Melissa Ng Li Ling.

The Association of Corporate Counsel Singapore (ACC Singapore) members converged on Drew & Napier’s office at Ocean Financial Centre...

17/10/2025

O’Melveny & Myers is closing its Tokyo office, marking the end of its nearly 40-year presence in Japan.

The Tokyo team includes partner and country head Yoji Maeda and of counsel Greyson Bryan, who is also based in the firm’s Century City and Washington, DC offices.

As the firm winds down its Japan practice, Maeda, who has been with O’Melveny for more than 20 years, will retire, the spokesperson confirmed.

The firm will continue to support clients in the region through its network of offices across Asia and globally, said the firm's spokesperson.

O’Melveny & Myers is closing its Tokyo office, marking the end of its nearly 40-year presence in Japan.

16/10/2025

Greenberg Traurig boosts Singapore office with 7 new lawyers https://law.asia/greenberg-traurig-singapore-expansion/

Greenberg Traurig, LLP expands Singapore presence with the hiring of seven lawyers as part of its plan to establish a full-service office in the country.

The firm has added shareholders Jek Aun Long, Benedict Tan, Joshua Heng, Stella Bae, Kyle Oh, and Azlan Mohamed Noh and associate Melvin Ng.

“As Singapore continues to grow in regional and global importance, our clients are increasingly reaching out to us for representation and guidance there, especially in key areas for which we are known...” Richard Rosenbaum, Greenberg Traurig’s executive chairman, told ABLJ.

He said these hires were in direct response to those requests, strengthening the firm’s capabilities in Singapore and across Asia.

Greenberg Traurig launched its Singapore office in 2022 with shareholder Joseph Kim leading the firm’s Asia energy and infrastructure practice. In 2024, the office expanded to include M&A capabilities.

13/10/2025

The Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines has appointed Manila-based firm PunoLaw’s senior partner Maria Lethel C Alburo-Mejia as assistant secretary, effective 1 October.

Ranulfo Payos of PunoLaw told Asia Business Law Journal that although Alburo-Mejia would no longer be at PunoLaw during her tenure at the DOE, the firm fully supports her in this important national service.

Payos added that, as assistant secretary, Alburo-Mejia would serve as the principal aide to the Secretary of Energy, Sharon S Garin, ensuring the effective co-ordination, management and ex*****on of the secretary’s priorities, directives and engagements.

Since joining PunoLaw in March 2005, she represented both private and government sponsors in relation to the development of power and infrastructure projects.

The Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines has appointed Manila-based firm PunoLaw’s senior partner Maria Lethel C Alburo-Mejia...

10/10/2025

Bird & Bird strengthens hospitality offering with new co-head https://law.asia/bird-bird-strengthens-hospitality-offering-asia-pacific/

International firm Bird & Bird has hired Andrew MacGeoch as partner and Asia-Pacific co-head of hotels, hospitality and leisure to boost its real estate and hospitality offering in Singapore.

“We will use Singapore as our regional hub to tap into activity from key markets like Hong Kong, connecting Asian projects and capital with Europe and beyond,” Simon Price of Bird & Bird, told Asia Business Law Journal.

MacGeoch has joined Bird & Bird after eight years as a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) in Hong Kong.

MacGeoch will be based in Singapore as a registered foreign lawyer, alongside counsel Leanne Sim and senior associate Sharonrose Tan, both former BCLP lawyers.

08/10/2025

Hogan Lovells has designated Owen Chan as a regional managing partner for Asia-Pacific and a member of the firm’s International Management Committee in Hong Kong.

Chan has been with the firm’s Hong Kong office since 2008, most recently as a partner in the corporate and finance practice.

“One area of focus for me now is how to expand our client base, in particular on the private equity front,” said Chan.

In the past year, the firm has added 12 new partners across Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam, most of them in private equity, fund formation, M&A, dispute resolution, and projects and infrastructure.

Hogan Lovells has designated Owen Chan as a regional managing partner for Asia-Pacific and a member of the firm’s International Management...

08/10/2025

BKL, K&L Gates act on Chipotle’s first joint venture in Asia https://law.asia/chipotle-first-joint-venture-asia/

South Korea’s Bae Kim & Lee (BKL) and Singapore’s K&L Gates Straits Law have advised Big Bite Company, an affiliate of Korean food company SPC Group, on the incorporation of S&C Restaurant Holdings, a joint venture with Chipotle Mexican Grill, to introduce the American fast-casual brand to Asia for the first time.

BKL’s team was led by Cheolhyo Ahn, Hwijin (HJ) Choi and Jaeyong Jeong in collaboration with Eric Eunyong Yang of BKL in Singapore. The firm was also supported by K&L Gates Straits Law, which was led by Henry Kim and Christopher Tan.

BKL provided advisory services to SPC Group and Big Bite Company during the establishment of the joint venture with Chipotle, as well as advising on regulatory issues in Singapore and South Korea, including matters related to setting up the necessary entities, said Choi.