Asia Business Law Journal

03/09/2026

Dentons HPRP, the Indonesian arm of the global law firm, has beefed up its tax practice with the addition of partner Rita Mansjur.

Mansjur joins from Forvis Mazars in Indonesia where she served as a tax partner for close to six years.

“Rita’s appointment is a strategic step in strengthening our tax practice in response to growing client demands for integrated tax and legal advice. We see significant opportunities to further develop this practice and enhance the way we support clients across transactions, investments, and other complex business matters,” Dentons HPRP managing partner Sartono told Asia Business Law Journal.

In addition to hiring Mansjur, Dentons HPRP has promoted senior associates Akbar Bayu and Leonardo Richo Sidabutar as partners.

Dentons HPRP, the Indonesian arm of the global law firm, has beefed up its tax practice with the addition of partner Rita Mansjur.

03/09/2026

Kennedys has bulked up its corporate and commercial capabilities with the addition of Andrew Carpenter as a partner in Hong Kong.

Carpenter arrives from Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, where he served as a Hong Kong-based partner for more than seven years.

“This appointment is part of the international expansion of our corporate and commercial and insurance transactions and advisory practices to support our insurer, broker and corporate clients not only in Hong Kong but also the wider APAC region,” Richard Bates, managing partner of Kennedys’ Hong Kong office, told Asia Business Law Journal.

Kennedys has bulked up its corporate and commercial capabilities with the addition of Andrew Carpenter as a partner in Hong Kong.

03/09/2026

King & Spalding hires Mallesons’ co-head of private capital https://law.asia/king-spalding-singapore-corporate-partner/

King & Spalding has strengthened its corporate practice group in Singapore with the appointment of Nicola Yeomans as a partner.

“We identified private equity M&A as an area with huge potential for synergies with our existing strengths, both in APAC and across the firm, including disputes and investigations, financing, special situations and energy and infrastructure development work. Nicola is a great fit when it comes to tapping into those opportunities and we continue to look for leading lawyers who can help drive our growth,” Andrew Brereton, managing partner of King & Spalding’s Singapore office, told Asia Business Law Journal.

Yeomans previously worked at Mallesons.

03/09/2026

In a predominantly Catholic country where same-sex marriage remains unrecognised, Jennifer Josef v Evalyn Ursua is a significant step in extending property rights to same-sex couples.

The Supreme Court held that same-sex partners may acquire enforceable co-ownership rights under article 148 of the Family Code, when they jointly contribute to property.

The ruling affirms that same-sex relationships can give rise to rights the law will recognise and protect.

Nilo Divina, Ciselie Marie Gamo-Sisayan and Angel Isah Romero of DivinaLaw examine how same-sex couples can establish co-ownership rights over property through documented contributions under Philippine law.

In a predominantly Catholic country where same-sex marriage remains unrecognised, Jennifer Josef v Evalyn Ursua...

03/09/2026

ASL brings in technology and data protection partner https://law.asia/asl-malaysia-syuhaini-safwan/

Malaysian law firm Adnan Sundra & Low has strengthened its technology and data protection talent with the appointment of Syuhaini Safwan as a partner.

Safwan joins from Touch ’n Go Group where she served as associate director of legal and data protection officer for more than a year.

“Syuhaini’s hiring reflects our intention to further strengthen the firm’s existing capabilities in fintech, technology and data protection.” joint managing partner Putri Norlisa Najib told Asia Business Law Journal.

03/09/2026

Baker McKenzie has bolstered its dispute resolution practice in Hong Kong with the addition of Justin Tang as a partner.

Tang arrives from Linklaters with more than 18 years of experience handling China-related cross-border commercial disputes for private equity and credit funds, corporates, financial institutions and state-owned enterprises.

“Justin’s appointment further strengthens our ability to advise clients on increasingly complex cross-border disputes, arbitration and litigation matters.” Allen Ng, managing partner of Baker McKenzie’s Hong Kong office, told Asia Business Law Journal.

Baker McKenzie has bolstered its dispute resolution practice in Hong Kong with the addition of Justin Tang as a partner.

03/09/2026

Yoon & Yang opens new branch office in northern Seoul https://law.asia/yoon-yang-gangbuk-office-opening/

Yoon & Yang has officially opened its new northern Seoul branch in Gangbuk, extending the South Korean law firm’s footprint beyond its Gangnam headquarters in southern Seoul.

“We wanted to bridge the physical gap with corporate clients in key central business district locations like Gwanghwamun, City Hall, Jongno and Euljiro,” Myung Soo Lee, senior managing partner at Yoon & Yang, told Asia Business Law Journal.

Located at the Seoul Finance Centre, the Gangbuk office would operate without a separate branch head or managing partner to streamline decision making and maximise operational agility, Lee said.

Lee said the Gangbuk office would provide regular, tailored guidance across its core practice areas, ranging from finance, corporate, labour, tax and real estate to public audits, police investigations, high-stakes litigation, and competition and antitrust.

03/09/2026

Penningtons establishes private wealth practice in Singapore https://law.asia/penningtons-singapore-private-wealth/

Penningtons Manches Cooper has launched its first private wealth practice outside the UK in Singapore and hires Rachel Yao to lead the team.

Yao, who will be the firm’s head of private wealth Asia, joins from Carey Olsen where she spent more than four years. She served as counsel and head of private wealth in Asia at the firm.

Clare Archer, head of private client and tax at Penningtons Manches Cooper, said the decision to launch a private wealth practice in Singapore stemmed from growing demand.

03/09/2026

Malaysian law firm Mah-Kamariyah & Philip Koh (MKP) has advised Magna Prima on a proposed restructuring to assume control of mixed-use development project 8 Conlay in Kuala Lumpur.

The MKP team comprised Adrian Koh, Surialinda Ahmad, Jack Tan Wai Kit, Carine Huang and Woei Yan Ng.

Malaysian law firm Mah-Kamariyah & Philip Koh (MKP) has advised Magna Prima on a proposed restructuring to assume control of mixed-use development project 8 Conlay in Kuala Lumpur.

03/09/2026

🏆 The Malaysia A-List 2026: Top 100 lawyers and 20 Legal Icons https://law.asia/top-lawyers-malaysia-2026/

Celebrating the lawyers making a lasting impact on Malaysia’s legal profession.

The Malaysia A-List 2026 by Asia Business Law Journal shines a spotlight on 100 leading lawyers and 20 Legal Icons whose expertise, leadership and influence continue to shape the country’s legal landscape.

Congratulations to all the recognised legal professionals! 👏