Litigation funder continues advance in Asia, recruits heavy-hitter in HK

The company has added a former managing partner of an elite firm

Litigation funder continues advance in Asia, recruits heavy-hitter in HK

An international litigation funder has boosted its focus on Asia, recruiting a former Latham & Watkins leader.

Woodsford Litigation Funding has added Simon Powell to its investment advisory panel (IAP), reflecting the region’s increasing importance to the firm, it said. Powell joins John Beechey as the second Asia-based IAP member of the company.

Now an independent arbitrator in the region, Powell was a partner at Latham & Watkins in Hong Kong from 2010, when he joined the firm from Jones Day, where he was also a partner. He established and headed Latham & Watkins’ litigation and dispute-resolution practices in Asia and also served in leadership roles, including managing partner of the Hong Kong office.

“As various countries across Asia have liberalised their funding regimes, we have seen a significant increase in the number of requests for funding. We expect this growth to continue apace, and the need for a dedicated Asian arbitration expert on our IAP has become increasingly apparent. We are delighted to have somebody of Simon’s calibre on board,” said Charlie Morris, Woodsford’s chief investment officer for the EMEA and APAC regions.

Woodsford operates internationally out of offices in London, Philadelphia, and Singapore.

“With Hong Kong permitting arbitration funding from February 1st and a continuing increase in interest in funding for Singapore-based arbitrations, I look forward to playing my part in establishing Woodsford as the leading funder in the region,” Powell said.

The funder is also currently looking to add a business development manager in Singapore.

Simon Powell

Recent articles & video

Norton Rose Fulbright welcomes new M&A partner

NT Court of Appeal orders statutory demand to be set aside over lack of verifying affidavit

Everlaw launches new features to help legal teams find hidden stories in emails, videos

HHG Legal Group names new chief operating officer

HSF Perth team to relocate to new premium-grade office building

The search has begun for Australia's Most Influential Lawyers in 2023

Most Read Articles

2023 Australasian Law Awards: Excellence awardees unveiled

Norton Rose Fulbright welcomes new M&A partner

King & Spalding hires project partner in the United Arab Emirates

Indara names corporate law vet as new exec director for legal, risk and compliance