Global law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) opens its doors in Myanmar after hiring Baker & McKenzie’s managing partner to lead its newly opened office.
Chris Hughes, formerly the managing partner at Baker & McKenzie’s Yangon office, has a corporate background and experience in M&A, projects, and finance deals. He works across energy and infrastructure, power, telecommunications, consumer goods and government.
He is also the leading draftsman on the Asian Development Bank sponsored Myanmar Company Law reform process that is expected to be submitted to parliament soon.
The firm first made an entry into Myanmar in March 2014 by networking with local firm Legal Network Consultants (LNC). The new office does not affect BLP’s arrangement with LNC, which will remain a member of the firm’s network.
Bob Charlton, BLP’s head of Asia, said: “With further political stability and clients demanding more insightful expertise across South East Asia, this is the perfect time for BLP to expand its presence in the region.”
The new office is BLP’s 14th office in 12 countries. In Asia, it has offices in China, Hong Kong and Singapore.