Stephenson Harwood associate dies in India crisis

Hwei Yen joined Stephenson Harwood's Singapore office in 2007 as a qualified solicitor and worked with the firm's shipping finance practice.

The 28-year old, who graduated from the National University of Singapore, was in Mumbai to speak at a conference but was taken hostage in the city's Oberoi Hotel during the siege. Her body was discovered last week on the 19th floor of the hotel.

Chief executive Sunil Ghadia has flown out to the firm's Singapore arm to offer support to staff.

In a statement, Ghadia said: "It is with great sadness that we have received the news that our colleague Lo Hwei Yen tragically lost her life during the recent events in Mumbai. Hwei Yen was an outstanding lawyer, but more importantly a much loved and valued colleague and friend with a kind and generous personality.

"We are deeply shocked, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time. We are doing everything we can to support the family and our colleagues at the firm."

Field Fisher Waterhouse partners Mark Abell and Christopher Jackson were also caught up in the Mumbai attacks but both were safely evacuated from the Trident Hotel last week.