US-Singapore law firm to open in Burma

International law firm Duane Morris Selvam (DMS) is set to launch in Burma, Shanghai and Thailand next year as it seeks to expand its presence across Asia, according to a report on Monday on legalweek.com.

The company—a joint venture between US firm Duane Morris and Singapore’s Selvam—is reportedly also considering opening a base in Cambodia.

It will apply for a license to work in Burma before the end of this year, after receiving an invitation to open in the country directly from Burma’s attorney-general, and says it hopes to open its office in the first quarter of 2013, according to the report.

All of the new Asian offices will focus on corporate work, finance and arbitration.

Philadelphia firm Duane Morris merged its Asia operations with legacy Singapore outfit Selvam LLC in March 2011, in a bid to expand its regional footprint with local expertise.

The Singapore practice has since been the headquarters of all of Duane Morris' operations in Asia, also overseeing the firm's work in Vietnam, where it has two bases in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

source: Mizzima
http://www.mizzima.com/business/8505-us-singapore-law-firm-to-open-in-burma.html