Trowers & Hamlins announces expansion into Malaysia
The opening of the office follows numerous years of working with Malaysian clients on their activities outside Malaysia. With unique approval from the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to open a non-trading representative office in Kuala Lumpur, Trowers & Hamlins is the first foreign firm to open in this manner in Malaysia.
Partner Nicholas Edmondes, who has led this initiative with Nick White and who has been involved in major inbound investment deals by Malaysian clients into the UK, commented: “We have been visiting and working with clients in Malaysia and the ASEAN region for many years. Our experience ranges from power and water projects and corporate and commercial matters, through to construction and disputes in the Middle East and inbound investment into the UK by major Malaysian institutions. We are delighted and privileged that MIDA have given us approval to open a Regional Office in Malaysia."
A Bill which is currently before the Malaysian Parliament will amend the legislation governing the legal profession. If approved it will allow a number of foreign law firms to open offices in Malaysia, joint venture with Malaysian law firms and for foreign lawyers to be employed by Malaysian firms.
Martin Amison, Head of International for Trowers & Hamlins said: “Our strategy is to grow our international business and work to suit the needs of our clients. There is an increasing demand for our expertise and knowledge in emerging markets and it is important we grow to support this."
The Regional Office, which officially opened on 2nd July, is managed by Nick White. Nick has worked for Trowers & Hamlins for over thirty years and nearly twenty of those have been in the Middle East. For the past seven years Nick has been involved in work for Malaysian and ASEAN clients. He will be supported by Nicholas Edmondes alongside a number of mobile partners and senior lawyers who travel regularly between London, the Middle East and Kuala Lumpur.