Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has decided to shutter its Asian operations pivoting its priority to the transatlantic platform, operating selectively in the US, UK, Europe and the Middle East, the firm told Asia Business Law Journal.
A BCLP spokesperson said the firm would start an orderly wind-down of operations in Asia which was anticipated to conclude towards the end of this year.
“We will continue to service our clients’ needs in Asia through our network of long-standing associated firms and colleagues across BCLP,” the spokesperson said.
Following the scheduled closure of its Hong Kong and Singapore offices, BCLP will have no physical presence in Asia having already folded its Beijing office in 2020.
Managed by partner and Asia real estate and infrastructure group head Andrew MacGeoch, the Hong Kong and Singapore offices have 21 lawyers. The team includes MacGeoch and partner Ilan Freiman who are dually based in both offices.
BCLP did not respond to Asia Business Law Journal’s questions on matters including arrangements for those 21 lawyers, and if the firm’s Sydney office would take on more Asia-related legal work following the closure of its Hong Kong and Singapore offices.
BCLP was formed in 2018 following a merger of Bryan Cave and Berwin Leighton Paisner. In the same year, the firm officially launched in Hong Kong and Singapore under the name BCLP specialising in areas ranging from real estate, energy and infrastructure, and corporate and finance transactions in both markets including litigation and investigations in Hong Kong.
