Herbert Smith Freehills and Prolegis LLC launch Formal Law Alliance in Singapore

International law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has launched a Formal Law Alliance with Singapore law firm Prolegis LLC.

The alliance creates a "one-stop shop" for clients to access the legal services of each firm – the international skills of Herbert Smith Freehills and the Singapore law expertise of Prolegis LLC.

The alliance has been approved by Singapore's Attorney General, Mr V K Rajah, SC, and is effective immediately.  The two firms are now located in adjoining offices within Herbert Smith Freehills' existing premises in Singapore.

"Herbert Smith Freehills' heritage in Singapore stretches back over 30 years, and this alliance marks the next stage of growth for both our practices," said Alastair Henderson, Southeast Asia managing partner for Herbert Smith Freehills.  

"Prolegis' lawyers are outstanding practitioners and trusted friends, and we are delighted to have a close alliance with them.  Our clients benefit too, gaining seamless access to the best combination of Singapore and international law advice through the alliance structure." 

"A Formal Law Alliance with Herbert Smith Freehills marks an important and significant milestone for our firm," said Ban Leong Oo, Managing Director and founder of Prolegis LLC.  "It is a natural next step for our ‘best friends’ relationship, announced in November 2014, with both firms having demonstrated a real, meaningful and fully collaborative working relationship over the last year."   

"We aim to be the leading law firm in Asia Pacific, and growing our Southeast Asian practice is a central part of that plan," said Sonya Leydecker, CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills.  "Singapore is the heart of this region, so broadening our services here through the FLA was a logical and important first step in our strategy." 

"We welcome Prolegis to this formal law alliance and look forward to working together in the years ahead."

Notes to editors

1. The Formal Law Alliance (FLA) structure was introduced by the Singapore Government in 2012 to give Singapore law practices greater flexibility to develop and grow their capabilities, and to collaborate with foreign law practices to enhance their competitiveness. It allows integrated marketing, billing, client service and legal service, although each firm remains independent.
2. In addition to improved services for clients, the FLA agreement is designed to enhance Prolegis’ practice, by providing the Prolegis lawyers access to Herbert Smith Freehills’ international network for its clients and to its training and learning programmes for its lawyers.  
3. Herbert Smith Freehills' heritage firm, Freehills, began working in Singapore in 1985, while Herbert Smith opened in 1995.  Today's practice offers international law expertise in corporate, finance, projects and disputes matters from its Singapore office, assisting clients across Southeast Asia and around the globe.
4. In Asia, Herbert Smith Freehills operates through eight offices – in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta*, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. The firm has some 250 lawyers in Asia, including 53 partners.

*In Jakarta, Herbert Smith Freehills' international counsel practise alongside our affiliate firm, Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, one of Indonesia’s leading commercial and corporate law firms.