Clifford Chance appoints new Singapore managing partner

INTERNATIONAL law firm Clifford Chance on Wednesday announced the appointment of three Singapore-based partners to leadership positions.

Kai-Niklas Schneider will assume the role of office managing partner with effect from June 1, following Geraint Hughes's appointment to regional managing partner of Asia-Pacific.

Nish Shetty will take over the role of head of litigation and dispute resolution for Asia-Pacific from Aug 1.

Nicholas Wong will serve as co-head of the firm's finance practice for Asia-Pacific together with Anthony Wang in Hong Kong starting May 1.

In the past six years, the local practice has doubled its size, including entering into a successful formal law alliance with local firm Cavenagh Law in 2012.

The firm also established an association with Indonesian firm, Linda Widyati & Partners, in 2014.

Last month the firm said two new partners - Gervais Green and Kate Sherrard - will join its Singapore office to bolster its maritime, offshore and asset and project finance offering.

Global managing partner Matthew Layton said: "Singapore and Southeast Asia are increasingly important to our clients and form a key part of our firm's growth strategy. Kai assumes the position of office managing partner with a strong ambition shared by the entire team, and Kai, Nish and Nick are all successful partners and highly regarded professionals in their respective practice areas."

Mr Schneider, who joined Clifford Chance in 2005 and subsequently rejoined as partner in 2013, is also head of the funds and investment management group for South-east Asia.