HONG KONG (Sept. 14, 2006) — LAWFUEL – Law News Network – Vinson & Elkins LLP announced today the opening of an office in Hong Kong, its seventh international office, to meet the increasing demand from clients for its services in Asia.
Jay Cuclis, the V&E partner who coordinates the firm’s International Practice, has relocated from the United States to head the new office in Hong Kong.
Mr. Cuclis said the Hong Kong office will work closely with the firm’s existing Asian offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo, as well as the firm’s other international offices in London, Moscow and Dubai.
“Hong Kong remains one of the key gateways to China and our new office there will allow us to more effectively represent international clients investing in China as well as to service Chinese clients investing in other markets,” Mr. Cuclis said. “In addition, our presence in Hong Kong will increase the firm’s capabilities to assist clients on transactions throughout East Asia, as well as in other international markets such as Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.”
V&E, one of the world’s leading energy law firms, has long recognized the increasing importance of Asia and, in particular, China, in international trade and investment, according to Joe Dilg, Managing Partner of Vinson & Elkins.
“Hong Kong is one of the key financial centers of the world,” Mr. Dilg said. “Having a vibrant office there not only enhances our capabilities and depth in the rapidly growing Asian market, it is also synergistic with our growth plans in New York and London. Jay’s broad international expertise and his prior experience in our London and Moscow offices make him the perfect choice to build a successful office in Hong Kong.”
Vinson & Elkins has operated a dynamic practice in the Asia-Pacific Region for many years. The firm’s offices in Beijing, Tokyo and Shanghai now have more than 20 lawyers and legal professionals focusing on general corporate advisory matters; foreign direct investment; mergers, acquisitions, structured and syndicated finance, project finance, joint ventures and energy restructuring; intellectual property protection; and dispute resolution — whether through mediation, arbitration or litigation.
The firm’s Asia-Pacific Practice Group has served multinational clients across a broad range of industries from private equity, finance, energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, production and sourcing, to retail sales and distribution of consumer goods and other products. The group draws on the strengths and talents of lawyers across the firm’s U.S. and international offices, as well as its U.S.-, English-, Singapore- and PRC-qualified lawyers and legal staff based in China and Japan.
In addition to handling matters relating to China or Japan, V&E lawyers in the Asia-Pacific Practice Group frequently advise clients investing throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including in Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and the Indian subcontinent. Increasingly, V&E’s Asian offices also have been working closely with the firm’s Dubai office in representing Middle Eastern investors on transactions in other parts of Asia, or Asian investors on transactions in the Middle East.
Xiao Yong, head of Vinson & Elkins’ China Practice, said, “Vinson & Elkins’ expansion into Hong Kong is a strong indication of the firm’s commitment to the China Practice and will further strengthen our capabilities throughout China and the Asia-Pacific region.”
In addition to Xiao Yong, V&E partners in the region include Paul Deemer, co-head of the firm’s China offices; David Blumental, the firm’s resident partner and chief representative in Shanghai; and Chris Dawe, the firm’s resident partner and chief representative in Tokyo.
Hong Kong marks the fourth international office V&E has opened in the past three years.
