Morning Briefing: International firm announces Singapore alliance

Herbert Smith Freehills has launched a formal alliance with Singapore firm Prolegis LLC. The alliance has been approved by Singapore's Attorney General, Mr V K Rajah, SC, and is effective immediately. The two firms are now located in adjoining offices within Herbert Smith Freehills' existing premises in Singapore.
 
Another week, another Dentons expansion
Dentons has announced further expansion with its first physical presence in Latin America and the Caribbean. The firm is considering a combining with Cardenas and Cardenas of Colombia and Mexico’s López Velarde, Heftye y Soria. The announcement follows Dentons' recent high-profile pivot to the Pacific Rim, in which the Firm announced a combination with both Australia's Gadens and Singapore's Rodyk, and the formalization of its historic combination in China, which made Dentons the largest law firm in the world.
 
Norton Rose Fulbright partner knighted
A Norton Rose Fulbright partner in France has been knighted for her career as a shipping and rail financing lawyer on the proposal of the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy. Christine Ezcutari has been named Knight of the National Order of Merit.
 
Law Society speaks out against restriction of lawyer choice
The Law Society in England says it is opposed to a Ministry of Justice suggestion that instructing an in-house advocate is a conflict of interests. Many clients choose to use a solicitor-advocate due to their knowledge of the business.  President Jonathan Smithers commented: “Restrictions on in-house advocacy by suggesting that a conflict of interest arises, would limit, rather than increase, client choice, and may stop clients from choosing the advocate they would wish to represent them in court.”  He said that if the UK government pushes ahead with its proposal it could drive up the cost of litigation there and have “profound implications” for every solicitor makes on a client’s case. On another matter that has arisen from the MoJ’s review of criminal advocacy Smithers said that the society would not oppose a ban on referral fees but does not believe the move is needed.