The new office will practice US and UK law and will initially tap existing members of the firm’s GTF practice, with plans to develop through additional lateral hires.  

Development

The business development and strategic growth of the office will be managed by Ji Woon Kim, who has relocated from the firm’s New York office. Mr Kim, a shareholder who has spent his entire career at Vedder Price, has been involved in building the firm’s GTF practice for more than a decade. He will be joined by solicitor Lev Gantly, who relocates from the firm’s London office. 

‘A key region’

According to a statement from Vedder Price, the Singapore office gives the firm ‘a foothold in a key region’ that is critical its clients. The firm anticipates that the global transportation finance market will undergo explosive growth in the next two decades as the region’s population grows and air travel surges. It also expects growth in maritime finance.

Dean N. Gerber, chair of the firm’s Global Transportation Finance team, commented: ‘Singapore continues to be a key focal point for global transportation finance and leasing, and we expect this to continue for years to come given market conditions. We look forward to establishing new relationships and to strengthening our ability to serve our many clients already doing business or domiciled in Asia.’

Global presence

The Singapore office is the seventh office for the 300-lawyer firm, adding to locations in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, London, San Francisco and Los Angeles.