Differences in the strategic direction the firm should take led to a split within a top law firm, with its head and two others walking out.
Mr. Latiff Ibrahim, who had been managing partner of the Harry Elias Partnership since 2006, yesterday confirmed he resigned over the differences.
‘I wanted to increase the number of partners and grow the firm,’ he said, as he felt this was the way to go, citing Law Minister K Shanmugam’s speech at last year’s Law Society dinner for law firms to gear up to deal with the changing legal landscape.
Mr. Latiff is also head of the firm’s construction, engineering and infrastructure projects practice group. He has advised on prominent projects such as the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort and Singapore Flyer; and also acted as counsel on high-profile disputes including the Nicoll Highway collapse.
Mr. Latiff’s departure was followed by four others: Mr. Kelvin Aw, Ms. Lynette Chew, Mr. Shashi Nathan and Ms. Shanti Jeganathan.
When contacted, both Mr. Aw and Ms. Chew confirmed the differences led them to leave. ‘We had reached an impasse,’ said Ms. Chew who was there for nine years and left as a partner.
Mr. Shashi declined comment but is understood to have left for personal reasons. He worked there for 10 years and was also a partner.
Ms. Shanti’s departure is unrelated to the others.
Current managing partner Philip Fong said the resignations will not impact the firm, which has more than 50 lawyers and remains strong in its core practice areas.
Mr. Fong, whom Asia Pacific Legal 2008/09 described as the ‘star name’ in the firm, affirmed there were differences over the firm’s vision. ‘The firm has come to a crossroads and we are evolving to meet the changing legal landscape.’
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Chief quits in split over law firm’s future
30 January 2010
Differences in the strategic direction the firm should take led to a split within a top law firm, with its head and two others walking out.
Mr. Latiff Ibrahim, who had been managing partner of the Harry Elias Partnership since 2006, yesterday confirmed he resigned over the differences.
‘I wanted to increase the number of partners and grow the firm,’ he said, as he felt this was the way to go, citing Law Minister K Shanmugam’s speech at last year’s Law Society dinner for law firms to gear up to deal with the changing legal landscape.
Mr. Latiff is also head of the firm’s construction, engineering and infrastructure projects practice group. He has advised on prominent projects such as the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort and Singapore Flyer; and also acted as counsel on high-profile disputes including the Nicoll Highway collapse.
Mr. Latiff’s departure was followed by four others: Mr. Kelvin Aw, Ms. Lynette Chew, Mr. Shashi Nathan and Ms. Shanti Jeganathan.
When contacted, both Mr. Aw and Ms. Chew confirmed the differences led them to leave. ‘We had reached an impasse,’ said Ms. Chew who was there for nine years and left as a partner.
Mr. Shashi declined comment but is understood to have left for personal reasons. He worked there for 10 years and was also a partner.
Ms. Shanti’s departure is unrelated to the others.
Current managing partner Philip Fong said the resignations will not impact the firm, which has more than 50 lawyers and remains strong in its core practice areas.
Mr. Fong, whom Asia Pacific Legal 2008/09 described as the ‘star name’ in the firm, affirmed there were differences over the firm’s vision. ‘The firm has come to a crossroads and we are evolving to meet the changing legal landscape.’
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