Minter Ellison becomes latest firm to launch office in Mongolia
Minter Ellison has launched an office in Mongolia in response to demand from clients for it to have a presence in the region.
The move comes as part of the Australian firm's wider strategy to expand in Asia, with a particular focus on capturing energy and resources work.
Hong Kong corporate partner Elisabeth Ellis will relocate to Mongolia to become the resident partner in the new office in Ulan Bator. The firm currently has two associates on the ground and will be adding further lawyers to the base over the coming months.
Clients that have encouraged the firm to launch in the region include major mining companies and investment banks.
The launch takes Minter's global office count to 16, including four in Asia. The firm's most recent launch prior to Mongolia was Beijing in August 2010.
Minter Ellison chief executive partner John Weber commented: "Mongolia is an increasingly strategic market with a substantial resource-based economy and is attracting the attention of the global resources industry.
"Clients with existing or emerging interests in Mongolia are telling us they want us in that market. We could have opted to continue a minimalist approach, with fly-in fly-out teams to service their needs, but our experience in Greater China tells us it's better to be on the ground working with clients."
The news comes after DLA Piper moved into Mongolia last year, setting up an alliance with local firm C&G Partners, while Hogan Lovells became the first transatlantic firm to enter the East Asian country in August 2010.
Australian firms have seen a spate of movement in their domestic market in recent months as UK and US firms move to secure a presence in the region.
Last summer Minter saw the majority of its Perth office leave the firm to join Squire Sanders. Four of the office's 19 partners have stayed at the Australian firm to relaunch its Perth operations. Other known negotiations in the region currently include talks between UK top 10 outfit Herbert Smith and Australia's Freehills, with a deal expected to go live on 1 July if discussions are successful.
The move comes as part of the Australian firm's wider strategy to expand in Asia, with a particular focus on capturing energy and resources work.
Hong Kong corporate partner Elisabeth Ellis will relocate to Mongolia to become the resident partner in the new office in Ulan Bator. The firm currently has two associates on the ground and will be adding further lawyers to the base over the coming months.
Clients that have encouraged the firm to launch in the region include major mining companies and investment banks.
The launch takes Minter's global office count to 16, including four in Asia. The firm's most recent launch prior to Mongolia was Beijing in August 2010.
Minter Ellison chief executive partner John Weber commented: "Mongolia is an increasingly strategic market with a substantial resource-based economy and is attracting the attention of the global resources industry.
"Clients with existing or emerging interests in Mongolia are telling us they want us in that market. We could have opted to continue a minimalist approach, with fly-in fly-out teams to service their needs, but our experience in Greater China tells us it's better to be on the ground working with clients."
The news comes after DLA Piper moved into Mongolia last year, setting up an alliance with local firm C&G Partners, while Hogan Lovells became the first transatlantic firm to enter the East Asian country in August 2010.
Australian firms have seen a spate of movement in their domestic market in recent months as UK and US firms move to secure a presence in the region.
Last summer Minter saw the majority of its Perth office leave the firm to join Squire Sanders. Four of the office's 19 partners have stayed at the Australian firm to relaunch its Perth operations. Other known negotiations in the region currently include talks between UK top 10 outfit Herbert Smith and Australia's Freehills, with a deal expected to go live on 1 July if discussions are successful.
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