Baker McKenzie has reshuffled its Asia-Pacific leadership with three appointments across practice and industry groups.
Hong Kong-based partners Derek Poon and Stephen Crosswell are named the new Asia-Pacific chairs of private equity practice and the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) industry group, respectively.
Meanwhile, Singapore-based dispute resolution and employment practice principal Celeste Ang has been promoted as the Asia-Pacific chair of the employment and compensation practice.
Poon succeded Singapore-based principal Kelvin Poa, Crosswell took over from Sydney-based partner Adrian Lawrence, and Ang replaced Sydney-based partner Michael Michalandos. Crosswell is also currently the Asia-Pacific chair of the antitrust and competition practice.
Michael Wong, Baker McKenzie’s Asia-Pacific chair in Taipei, told Asia Business Law Journal that the firm’s updated strategy provides a clear road map, and with success in the TMT sector, as well as the transactional, employment and compensation and dispute resolution practices, the firm will continue to build on the momentum and invest in areas that matter most to clients.
“Global economic uncertainty, heightened regulatory scrutiny, supply chain disruption and digital transformation, among other variables, have put enormous pressure on organisations,” Wong added. “We recognise the challenges that our clients face and have refocused our own business to provide our clients with greater support.
As most parts of the Asia-Pacific move into the post-covid recovery phase, Wong said that organisations are picking up pace in redesigning their workforce for the future of work. Digital transformation is also accelerating, particularly in the TMT sector.
“In spite of the uncertain economic landscape, many businesses are sitting on dry powder and this means businesses are likely to continue to pursue strategic investment opportunities albeit at a slower pace,” said Wong. “We look forward to continuing to help our clients navigate through the challenges ahead and find certainty in these uncertain times.”
