Geoffrey Grice will join Freehills after a career spanning more than 20 years working on major projects and cross border transactions in Europe, Asia Pacific and Australia. His appointment becomes effective from Monday 3rd August 2009.
Grice was most recently Deputy State Solicitor in the State Solicitor's Office of Western Australia, but has also worked with top tier law firms in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and Perth.
He has degrees from the University of Western Australia and Cambridge University England, has studied at Waseda University, Tokyo and brings particular experience in energy & resources, infrastructure/PPPs and the cross boarder M&A space.
Chief Executive and Managing Partner, Gavin Bell said that it was unusual for the firm to appoint a lateral hire at this level and the decision to do so reflected the importance of the Asian market to Freehills.
"We see a lot of opportunities through the Asian market," he said. "This includes advising on major cross boarder transactions into and out of Australia, but also major Asian infrastructure and mining projects.
"Freehills already has a substantial business in Asia working with clients such as Santos and cross boarder transactions such as the sale of some assets of Oz Minerals to China Minmetals.
"Geoffrey will be working from our Singapore office which is the hub for our activities in South East Asia, India and the Middle East and his appointment is an important step to developing and servicing these markets further."
Mr Grice said he recognised that Freehills already has a strong record in Asia and he was looking forward to building this further.
"I'm pleased to be joining a firm with such a legal pedigree, an established reputation in Australasia and growing recognition throughout Asia."
Freehills Add Partner in Singapore
