Ogier announced yesterday that James Bergstrom will become managing partner of Ogier?s Hong Kong legal business, with effect from January 2011.
Here’s Ogier’s press release on the subject..
Bergstrom, one of Ogier?s most experienced and respected group partners, is relocating to Hong Kong from the Cayman Islands where he was managing partner of Ogier Cayman?s legal business for eight years. ?He takes over from existing managing partner Duncan Smith following his retirement. ??
Duncan Smith was the founding partner of BVI firm WSmiths which merged with Ogier in 2007. ?Smith founded the Hong Kong office in 2006.
Nick Kershaw, Ogier Group Chief Executive said ?I am delighted to announce the appointment of James. ?Asia is critical to Ogier?s growth strategy and we have already made significant steps in this regard. ?We have opened an office in Tokyo and we plan to further increase our presence in the region. ?We are very grateful to Duncan Smith as our Hong Kong office is the fastest growing in the group. ?James? appointment will further bolster the firm?s already highly regarded work in this region.? ?
Bergstrom joined Ogier when Ogier and Boxalls merged in 2003 and was responsible for leading the merger. ?He has practiced in the Cayman Islands since 1991 in the principal areas of investment funds, private equity, corporate and commercial law and business and securities regulation. He is recognised by industry commentators as a leading specialist in his areas of expertise for the Cayman Islands and has most recently featured in the 2010 Edition of the “Who’s Who Legal” for private funds lawyers. ??
Bergstrom, said ??Ogier already has a strong team in place in Hong Kong and I look forward to working with them to expand our capabilities and realise our growth potential in the Asian market. ?Ogier is dedicated to providing clients with world-class services in all time zones across the globe and this further demonstrates our commitment to them.?
Ogier is the only offshore law firm offering BVI, Cayman, Guernsey and Jersey legal and fiduciary services in Asia including investment funds, corporate and commercial advice (including listings), banking and finance, as well as trusts and private wealth. ?Ogier Hong Kong has advised on a number of notable deals recently including RUSAL?s listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange which is the first Russian business as well as the first Jersey incorporated company to do so and as BVI advisers to a consortium consisting of Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd and China-Africa Development Fund in connection with a US$284 million acquisition of Platmin Congo Limited.
