Ogier is expanding into the Asian market in response to growing demand for Channel Island based legal and fiduciary services in the region.
The firm intends to relocate a number of its Guernsey and Jersey based lawyers to its Hong Kong office, where it has an established BVI and Cayman legal practice, in May.
Ogier’s announcement follows news earlier this month that the first listing applications from Jersey based companies were made to the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Marcus Leese, a partner based in the Ogier Guernsey office, will head up the new Channel Islands practice in Hong Kong. Leese will work alongside Duncan Smith, managing partner of the Hong Kong office, Timothy Bridges and Nicholas Plowman.
Lawyers relocating to Hong Kong from the firm’s Jersey office will join associate director, Maria McDermott, who recently relocated to the region to head up Ogier Fiduciary Services in Hong Kong.
The firm will offer a range of legal and fiduciary services in the Asian time zone encompassing corporate and commercial advice (including listings), investment funds, banking and finance, as well as trust and private client services through Ogier Private Wealth.
Ogier recently acted as legal adviser to Jersey-incorporated United Company Rusal Limited, which was the first ever listing of a Jersey company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
