Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, an international law firm headquartered in London, has hired two partners to strengthen its energy, natural resources and infrastructure capability in Asia. Gavin MacLaren joins from Australian-based law firm Allens Arthur Robinson, while Mark Plenderleith joins from US-based firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy.
“Gavin and Mark will increase the strength and depth of our specialist capabilities in the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors in the Asian region and substantially boost our client offering in what is a fast growing market,” said Rob Ashworth, Freshfields’ Asia managing partner, in a press statement.
MacLaren, who was a partner at Allens, is a specialist in the energy and natural resources sector, and has a strong track record of advising clients in Southeast Asia on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and project development. Freshfields did not specify which office he will be based in, but the legal industry press has reported that he will operate from the firm’s Singapore office, which is due to open in the third quarter of this year.
Plenderleith previously led the finance team in Milbank’s Tokyo office, where he has been based since 2006, and will continue to be based in Japan. His practice focuses primarily on project development, acquisitions and financing in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.
“High levels of energy and natural resources activity in the Asian region and the projected continued growth in Asian needs for energy and other natural resources sourced on a global basis is driving demand for our services in the region,” said Laurie McFadden, global co-head of Freshfield’s energy and natural resources sector group.
The firm has added seven partners since October last year, including four new partner promotions in Hong Kong last month. As a result, the firm’s Asia practice now comprises 35 partners.
