Law firms across the Asia-Pacific region have strengthened their senior benches with a series of partner hires in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, targeting sectors such as energy and infrastructure, and insurance.
In Australia, Dentons has expanded its construction practice with the addition of a partner from DLA Piper.
Jonathan Stafford brings more than two decades of experience advising on all aspects of construction and infrastructure law. His expertise spans contract drafting and negotiation, project structuring, procurement, risk management and regulatory compliance.
“Jonathan’s appointment underscores our strategic focus on sectors that drive Australia’s growth. His extensive experience across major infrastructure and construction projects positions Dentons to deliver even greater value to clients navigating complex, high-stakes developments,” said Dentons’ Australia chair and Australasia region chief executive officer Amber Warren in a statement.
A DLA Piper spokesperson commented: “We wish him well in his new role.”
Dentons also strengthened its Singapore office with the appointment of insurance lawyer John Goulios.
Goulios also joins from DLA Piper, where he served as global co-chair of the firm’s insurance sector and previously led its Singapore office.
Goulios has more than 30 years of experience advising multinational insurers and corporations on complex insurance and reinsurance matters, including transactional, regulatory and compliance issues, as well as claims, disputes and investigations.
He spent over 18 years at DLA Piper and was earlier in his career based in Australia.
Also in Singapore, local Big Four firm Drew & Napier has hired Ton van den Bosch as head of its projects, energy and infrastructure practice.
Van den Bosch is a dual-qualified corporate and project development lawyer who specialises in energy, offshore, infrastructure, ports and logistics projects across the Middle East ,Africa and Asia.
He joins the Singapore firm from Clyde & Co, where he has practised for more than three years. Prior to that, he served for nearly four years as the Singapore managing partner of U.K. firm Addleshaw Goddard. Earlier, he was global head of the ports and terminals practice at the now-defunct Singapore office of Ince & Co.
Van den Bosch has also previously worked in-house. He was the Manila-based general counsel at International Container Terminal Services Inc., a global terminal operator, where he advised on acquisitions, concessions, project financings and geopolitical risk issues.
Drew & Napier said his appointment strengthens the firm’s capabilities in capital-intensive projects and energy transition work.
In Hong Kong, Paul Hastings has hired corporate lawyer Joongwon Park as a partner.
Park joins Paul Hastings from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where he was counsel. He advises Korean and international clients on complex buyouts, minority investments, pre-initial public offering investments and listings, as well as Rule 144A and Regulation S offerings and private placements.
He has previously worked in Simpson Thacher’s New York, Seoul and Hong Kong offices.
Feb 13
Deal Summary
