Oct 02 2008
hong kong receives a visit from an angell
Not an angel. An “Angell”, as in Boston’s Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge. The National Law Journal picked up very briefly on this story today:
The 600-lawyer Boston-based Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge is entering the Chinese legal market through an association with the newly formed firm Lister Swartz, comprised of two long-time Hong Kong attorneys.
Martin Lister, an Edwards Angell partner with more than 20 years in practice in London and Asia, and Kristi L. Swartz, a Hong Kong attorney who operated for a dozen years as the sole principal of Swartz Solicitors, have formed Lister Swartz. The two attorneys specialize in corporate and securities law.
“Expanding our client service capacity formally into Asia is consistent with the Firm’s strategy,” Walter G.D. Reed, managing partner of Edwards Angell, said in a written statement. “Hong Kong is the right place for us to be and in direct response to the needs of our increasingly global client base. I’m pleased that Lister Swartz will lead EAPD’s efforts in Hong Kong.”
Both Lister and Swartz are trained HK solicitors (see here), so it looks like Edwards Angell may be here for the long haul. Very interesting that the firm isn’t aiming for Beijing or Shanghai first, as it seems like those are the hot places to go for firms aspiring to build China practices. However, HK seems to me to be a good choice that is overlooked. I hope this office does well.
