Duane Morris opens in Singapore; Vietnam next

Duane Morris has launched an Asian practice after opening a new office in Singapore, with a further launch planned in Vietnam, as US firms continue to target the region's booming market.

The Philadelphia-based firm announced the move yesterday (16 January), with corporate partner Eduardo Ramos-Gomez - a former Mexican ambassador to Singapore - appointed to head up the five-partner Singapore branch.

The office, which includes UK-qualified former DLA Piper partner Rudy Lim among the team, will not practise local law but aims to service clients in Cambodia, China, Taiwan, India and Japan.

A number of associate-level hires are expected in coming weeks, while the firm also plans to open offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by the spring.

Global project finance head Douglas Woloshin will oversee relations between the Singapore and Vietnam offices.

Duane Morris chairman Sheldon Bonovitz said: "Our move into Asia by way of Singapore - an established centre of business - will firmly launch Duane Morris as a significant factor in this fast-growing part of the world economy."