The firm says the appointment reinforces its commitment to the Asian market.

Geoffrey Grice joins Freehills after a career of more than 20 years working on major projects and cross border transactions in Europe, Asia Pacific and Australia. He walks through the Freehills doors on 3 August. 

Freehills chief executive and managing partner, Gavin Bell, said that it was unusual for the firm to appoint a lateral hire at this level and the decision to do so reflected the importance of the Asian market to Freehills. 

“We see a lot of opportunities through the Asian market,” he said. “This includes advising on major cross boarder transactions into and out of Australia, but also major Asian infrastructure and mining projects.

“Freehills already has a substantial business in Asia working with clients such as Santos and cross boarder transactions such as the sale of some assets of Oz Minerals to China Minmetals," Bell said. 

The Singapore office is the firm's hub for its activities in South East Asia, India and the Middle East, Bell said.