International law firm DAC Beachcroft is expanding in Asia-Pacific, opening a new office in Hong Kong to support the ongoing expansion of the firm's global offering to clients across insurance, shipping, international trade, and commodities. The office will be DACB's second in the region, alongside Singapore where the firm has been operating since 2011.
DACB Hong Kong, located in Quarry Bay on the east side of Hong Kong Island, launches with two partners, Wai Yue Loh and Ross Risby. Wai Yue is Joint Managing Director of Incisive Law, the independent Singapore Law Practice with which DACB has an association in Singapore. He has extensive experience advising Chinese clients in and outside of China, many of whose business interests are increasingly focused on the region.
Wai Yue is joined by Ross Risby, a partner in DACB's Insurance team who has relocated to Hong Kong from London. Ross specialises in financial institutions, professional liability and Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance disputes and has been a partner at the firm for nearly 20 years. He will work alongside Wai Yue to enhance DACB's offering in the region together with the firm's Singapore office.
"It has been a long-time ambition of ours to expand into Hong Kong," said Gustavo Blanco, DACB's Head of International Business. "With a foothold in this important market, we are delivering on our ambition to be the international insurance law firm of choice for the global insurance industry.
"Wai Yue is an experienced shipping, international trade and commodities litigator and has a leading reputation in the Chinese hull and machinery and marine cargo insurance markets, representing international clients in arbitrations and shipping disputes globally. He and Ross will be well placed to help us drive forward our global shipping practice, working closely with the team in Singapore, our extensive team in London, and our expanding team across Latin America, including in our newly opened Peru office."
In addition to launching DACB Hong Kong, the firm is forming an Association with a newly created Hong Kong solicitors firm, CK Lee & Co, to ensure that its clients can receive both international and Hong Kong law advice. CK Lee & Co will be led by Kelvin Lee, supported by senior associate, Will Chan. Kelvin has a focus on coverage disputes, particularly over property/BI risks and product liability insurance, and has advised reinsurers on significant, high-profile reinsurance claims.
DACB's launch in Hong Kong follows closely on from the firm's office opening in Peru earlier this year. In addition to global shipping, trade and commodities, the recently established Lima office also covers corporate insurance and regulatory work. Besides Peru, DACB has a presence in Latin America in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, a representative office in Miami, and a broad network of affiliations in over twelve other countries across the region.
Wai Yue said, "Trade between China and Latin America continues to grow and much of this shipping and trade activity runs through Hong Kong. With our new central hub for global marine and shipping in Lima and a growing presence here in the Asia-Pacific region, we are even better positioned to serve the needs of our clients in this key location and across the globe."
DACB remains focused on strengthening its shipping (alongside its marine insurance) offering around the world. In addition to its recent expansion in LatAm, in September 2023 the firm announced an association with Incisive Law in Singapore, which gives clients access to shipping, international trade & commodities, and marine insurance expertise across Asia-Pacific.
