Simmonds Stewart tasks new partner to lead Southeast-Asian expansion

Simmonds Stewart has elevated Chris Wilson to partner and has tasked him to lead the firm’s expansion in Southeast Asia.

Wilson, who joined the firm in 2007 as a solicitor, specialises in venture capital and tech M&A. In 2017, he launched the firm’s office in Singapore, which he leads to this day. He has also had extensive experience in the firm’s offices in Auckland and Wellington.

“Chris was Simmonds Stewart’s first full time legal hire, and he’s been involved in all of our significant business initiatives, including the setup of our Auckland office, the launch of our free online legal templates, and the opening of our Singapore branch,” said Victoria Stewart, the firm’s chief executive. “We have enjoyed watching Chris develop as a lawyer over the years, and we are very proud to be able to promote him to the role of partner.”

Simmonds Stewart has been advising technology-sector clients in Southeast Asia for the last four years. The firm said that its practice in the region has grown rapidly over that period and now represents more than 100 companies.

The firm has also used Singapore as a base to advise Kiwi companies. These include 90 Seconds, which the firm advised in its Series A funding led by US giant Sequoia Capital.

Lee Bagshaw, who leads the firm’s Southeast Asia practice, said that Wilson’s appointment to partner will boost the firm’s growth in Singapore and the region.

“Chris is now a well-known and highly regarded venture capital lawyer in Singapore. We’re confident Chris’ star will shine brightly in the coming years as a leading VC and tech M&A lawyer in both Southeast Asia and New Zealand,” Bagshaw said.

Chris Wilson