Asia Business Law Journal

04/06/2026

Law firms Yulchon and Latham & Watkins have advised on the successful acquisition of South Korea-based non-life insurer DB Insurance’s KRW2.5 trillion (USD1.65 billion) 100% stake in US specialty insurer The Fortegra Group from Tiptree and Warburg Pincus.

Yulchon advised on multiple aspects of the deal, with the team led by Hyeon Hwa Shin, Hyo Jeong Doh, and Tehyok Daniel Yi.

“We provided comprehensive counsel across the entire transaction. This included conducting legal due diligence on the target company, structuring the transaction, reviewing acquisition agreements, and securing regulatory approvals,” Yi told Asia Business Law Journal.

Latham & Watkins represented DB Insurance in the transaction, with a corporate deal team led by New York-based Gary Boss, Kirsten Gaeta and Andrew Elken. Andrew Moosmann, Teresa Ella Wendel and Maddy Berg were also team members.

Tim Scott and Alexander Traum advised on insurance regulatory matters, while Eric Kamerman and Megan Alessi assisted on tax and benefits issues, respectively.

Law firms Yulchon and Latham & Watkins have advised on the successful acquisition of South Korea-based non-life insurer DB Insurance’s KRW2.5 trillion (USD1.65 billion) 100% stake in US specialty insurer The Fortegra Group from Tiptree and Warburg Pincus.

04/06/2026

Tilleke & Gibbins brings in employment partner in Thailand https://law.asia/chanakarn-boonyasith-joins-tilleke-gibbins-employment-partner/

Regional law firm Tilleke & Gibbins has appointed Chanakarn Boonyasith as a partner at its Bangkok office, strengthening its employment practice and enhancing the capabilities of its corporate and M&A group.

Boonyasith joins from SCL Nishimura & Asahi, where she served as a partner for more than five years.

“This appointment is part of our broader ongoing growth strategy as we continue to invest in key practice areas to meet our clients’ evolving needs.” Tilleke & Gibbins' Tiziana Sucharitkul told Asia Business Law Journal.

04/06/2026

Hong Kong to establish International Commercial Court https://law.asia/hong-kong-launches-international-commercial-court/

The Hong Kong Judiciary has announced plans to establish the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC) within the coming year, in a move aimed at strengthening the city’s position as a leading dispute resolution hub and international financial centre.

The HKICC will operate as a specialist division of the High Court, adjudicating complex, high-value international and cross-border commercial disputes.

The HKICC will also leverage technology in its proceedings, including remote hearings, electronic filing, electronic bundles and voice-to-text transcription.

04/06/2026

Clifford Chance has advised private equity giant CVC Capital Partners on its proposed investment in Indonesian retail company Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI) for an undisclosed amount.

The firm assisted on the international aspects of the proposed investment, with the team comprising Tom Lin, David Ho, Denzyl Ang and Wenkai Lyu.

Matthew Truman and Charlotte Leung, together with Ken Li, were also part of the finance team advising on the transaction.

Clifford Chance has advised private equity giant CVC Capital Partners on its proposed investment in Indonesian retail company Mitra Adiperkasa...

04/06/2026

Peter & Kim, a law firm specialising in arbitration, has bolstered its Singapore office with the appointment of Elodie Dulac as a partner.

Dulac joins from King & Spalding, where she spent more than 15 years.

“Elodie is a perfect example of the type of lawyer we seek to attract: an exceptional practitioner with a truly international outlook and deep experience handling sophisticated cross-border matters,” SeungMin Lee of Peter & Kim, said.

Peter & Kim, a law firm specialising in arbitration, has bolstered its Singapore office with the appointment of Elodie Dulac as a partner.

04/06/2026

🏆 The Indonesia A-List 2026: Top 100 lawyers and 41 Legal Icons https://law.asia/top-lawyers-indonesia-2026/

Asia Business Law Journal presents Indonesia’s 2026 A-List, honouring 100 leading lawyers and 41 Legal Icons for their outstanding contributions to the nation’s evolving legal market.

Congratulations to all the recognised legal professionals! 👏

04/06/2026

Lawyers Wilson Tan and Thaddaeus Tan have co-founded new Singapore-based firm Anchor Law, which officially began operations on 1 June 2026.

Wilson Tan serves as managing director, bringing experience from prior roles including director at Forte Law and associate director at Goodwins Law Corporation.

Thaddaeus Tan, meanwhile, takes on the role of director following more than four years as a senior legal associate at Tan Rajah & Cheah. He is also a council member of The Law Society of Singapore.

Anchor Law launches with a broad practice offering, including civil and commercial disputes, private client matters, family and matrimonial law, SME and corporate advisory, employment law, criminal defence, mediation and alternative dispute resolution, as well as personal injury and medical negligence.

Lawyers Wilson Tan and Thaddaeus Tan have co-founded new Singapore-based firm Anchor Law, which officially began operations on 1 June 2026...

04/06/2026

SIAC expands presence in China with launch of Beijing office https://law.asia/siac-expands-china-presence-launches-beijing-office/

The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) has grown its presence in China with the opening of a representative office in Beijing.

SIAC CEO Gloria Lim said it was necessary to open another office in China as Chinese parties had been among the top users of the SIAC’s arbitration services.

Lim added that the timing of the expansion aligns with growing demand from Chinese clients.

“As to why now, we believe this is a timely moment because cross-border commerce involving Chinese parties continues to grow in scale and sophistication. At the same time, businesses are increasingly looking for neutral, efficient and internationally trusted dispute resolution mechanisms,” she said.

The SIAC now operates six overseas offices — in Seoul, Mumbai, Gujarat, New York, Shanghai and Beijing.

04/06/2026

China’s reform and opening-up policy, inaugurated in 1978, unleashed one of the most consequential episodes of private wealth creation in modern economic history.

Within a single generation, entrepreneurial pioneers built privately held enterprises of extraordinary scale and complexity.

Today, that founding generation is advancing in age and the question of orderly succession has moved from the periphery of family conversation to the centre of legal and financial planning.

Han Chen of Han Kun Law Offices examines the principal trends and challenges confronting private wealth and estate planning practice in the Chinese mainland.

China’s reform and opening-up policy, inaugurated in 1978, unleashed one of the most consequential episodes of private wealth creation...

03/06/2026

Kirkland & Ellis plans to open an office in Tokyo in the firm’s first expansion in Asia beyond China, where it has branches in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.

The firm has brought in a team of three lawyers comprising partners Naoya Shiota and Clara Shirota, and counsel Catherine Simes.

Shiota joins from Morrison Foerster, where he served as a partner for one year.

Shirota arrives from White & Case, where she spent more than five years as a partner in the firm’s Tokyo office.

As for Simes, she joins from Ropes & Gray, where she spent nearly nine years as an associate.

At Kirkland & Ellis, Shiota and Simes will focus on M&A, while Shirota will specialise in debt financing transactions.

“Naoya, Clara and Catherine are all highly regarded lawyers and we’re excited to welcome them to Kirkland as we establish our presence in Tokyo.” Jon Ballis of Kirkland & Ellis, said in a statement.

Kirkland & Ellis plans to open an office in Tokyo in the firm’s first expansion in Asia beyond China, where it has branches in Shanghai...