Ince & Co to launch major expansion in Asia
HONG KONG,March 18,2019 -- Ince & Co Hong Kong ("Ince"),part of the Ince Gordon Dadds LLP ("Ince Gordon Dadds") network,is pleased to announce its growth plans in Asia that will strengthen the firm's core practice areas of shipping,international trade,insurance,energy and infrastructure as well as power a rapid expansion of the business with new capabilities across Hong Kong and Mainland China.
As a member of Ince Gordon Dadds' international network of independently owned law firms,Ince is leveraging the network's financial resources and proven track-record in Asia to seize opportunities in the region-- particularly in areas of commercial litigation,construction,banking,corporate finance and initial public offerings (IPOs)-- by expanding its Hong Kong office with three new partner hires.
Setting Ince's expansion in the wider economic context,the Asian Development Bank estimates that the infrastructure investment required to meet the development needs of the Asia-Pacific region will exceed $1.7 trillion a year through 2030[1]. China alone will see its infrastructure investment grow by 7.5% in 2019[2],and with greater demand for legal services in infrastructure,and corporate finance work for China and beyond,an expanding Ince will be exceptionally well placed to help clients deliver quality legal services in their projects across Asia.
The spearhead of this expansion is the addition of three lateral-hire partners joining the firm in Hong Kong,launching new corporate finance/IPO and construction practices,and strengthening existing core business areas. Eric Lui will join Ince from March,bringing a wealth of experience and excellent track-record of delivering quality legal services to clients. Eric brings with him expertise in banking,corporate finance and IPOs,areas in which he has handled a wide range of complex cross-border transactions involving Hong Kong and Mainland China. Eric's corporate practice sees him regularly assisting Chinese enterprises in preparing for and executing listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.Eric is a China Appointed Attesting Officer as well as being one of the first group of Hong Kong lawyers involved in establishing a joint venture law firm in the Shenzhen Qianhai Cooperation Zone.
Alfred Lau will join Ince in April and specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution,having handled a wide range of contentious commercial matters that include disputes involving; shareholders,land properties,trust agreements as well as bankruptcy and company liquidation matters. Alfred is also a specialist in handling departmental summonses relating to industrial safety and environmental matters,and regularly conducts seminars for major construction companies and other relevant organisations in Hong Kong on these matters.
In May,Ince will welcome the third new partner in Hong Kong,Ian Lo. Ian's appointment will create a new construction practice and he brings additional areas of expertise to complement Ince's established dispute resolution practice. Ian has acted for developers,main contractors and sub-contractors in litigation,arbitration and mediation matters arising from high-value construction projects in Hong Kong and Mainland China. He also has substantial experience in advisory work on construction agreements and building contracts. Both Ian and Alfred also have extensive experience in handling regulatory and criminal matters covering investigations and prosecution by the Securities and Futures Commission,the Independent Commission Against Corruption,and governmental and regulatory bodies in Hong Kong.
Ince's three new partners will bring an additional 25 members of staff to the firm in Hong Kong on their arrival. In addition to these new partner and professional hires,Ince's China practice is expecting further growth that will increase its total headcount across all practice areas of the firm. This ambitious expansion builds on Ince's long-standing presence in China and the firm's 150-year history. Ince was one of the earliest international law firms in the market,opening its Hong Kong office 40 years ago in 1979,followed by Shanghai in 2000,and Beijing in 2012.
Paul Ho,Head of Ince Gordon Dadds in China,said,"With the appointment of three new partners of such high calibre to Ince's office in Hong Kong,we are demonstrating our ambitions for the region,and our determination to provide new expertise and capabilities for our clients. As one of the largest legal firm listed on the London Stock Exchange,the Ince Gordon Dadds network stands ready to invest in the future of world-class legal services. As these new partner appointments attest,we will seize growth opportunities as they arise and constantly work to enhance and expand our offer to clients in China,the Asia region,and globally."
David Beaves,Head of Ince's Hong Kong Office,"We are absolutely thrilled to have three new partners joining our Hong Kong office,each of whom brings proven expertise and a wealth of experience that will complement our traditionally strong practice areas. With the addition of Eric Lui,Alfred Lau and Ian Lo,we will immediately be servicing new clients,as well as providing our existing clientele with an expanded range of expertise,practice specialisation and intellectual capital."
About Ince & Co
Ince& Co,a Hong Kong partnership regulated by the Law Society of Hong Kong,is a member of theInceGordon Dadds international network.Ince& Co advises international clients across core business areas,including shipping,energy and infrastructure. Ince& Co provides strategic advice in all forms of local,regional and international arbitration,litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as well as corporate and commercial advice including joint ventures,China trade investment and acquisitions. The team of lawyers are qualified in Hong Kong,England & Wales,Singapore and Australia. Languages spoken include English,Cantonese,Mandarin,Shanghainese and Taishanese.
About Ince Gordon Dadds
Ince Gordon Dadds is a network of independently owned law firms,with a heritage reaching back 150 years. A dynamic international legal network,with offices in six countries across Europe,Asia and the Middle East.InceGordon Dadds provides legal advice and strategic guidance to clients ranging from the world's oldest and biggest businesses to ultra-high net worth individuals. With over 500 people,including over 100 partners worldwide,InceGordon Dadds provides legal services in relation to English,German,Greek,Hong Kong and Mainland China law. Singapore law advice is provided by Incisive Law LLC,with whomInceGordon Dadds has a Formal Law Alliance.InceGordon Dadds has representative offices in Shanghai (2000) and Beijing (2012).
[1]Asian Development Bank. News Release: Asia Infrastructure Needs Exceed $1.7 Trillion Per Year,Double Previous Estimates,28 February 2017. Last Access: 6 March 2019.
[2]Argus Media. Article: China's infrastructure investment growth to accelerate,16 January 2019. Last Access: 6 March 2019.
