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Clifford Chance names new Asia-Pacific leader
A new managing partner has been appointed to head up the Asia-Pacific practice of Clifford Chance, the first leadership change for the region in eight years.
Stefanie Garber
Singapore-based partner Geraint Hughes will take up the role in September, overseeing nine offices including those in Australia, Greater China, north and south-east Asia.
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Current managing partner Peter Charlton, who has been in the role for eight years, signalled his intention to return to the UK after his term expires.
Mr Hughes has been the managing partner of Clifford Chance’s Singapore office since 2010.
Under his direction, the Singapore practice doubled its size and entered into a formal law alliance with local firm Cavenagh Law.
Clifford Chance managing partner Matthew Layton welcomed the new appointment, saying the firm would “build on our position as the leading international firm in Asia-Pacific”.
He thanked Mr Charlton for leading the practice “through a very successful period”.
During Mr Charlton’s tenure, the number of lawyers in the region grew by 70 per cent and regional revenues more than doubled, according to Clifford Chance.
Mr Charlton was also involved in negotiating the firm’s expansion into Australia in 2011 via a merger with two local boutique companies – Chang, Pistilli & Simmons in Sydney and Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe in Perth.
Clifford Chance now has more than 17 partners and over 70 lawyers in its Australian offices.
The firm’s Sydney office has also undergone leadership changes recently, with founding partners Mark Pistilli and Danny Simmons leaving the Sydney office in early February, prompting Diana Chang's appointment as the new Sydney managing partner.
