GRIP Asia-Pacific network bolstered

Since launching the Asia-Pacific arm of the Global Restructuring & Insolvency Professionals (GRIP) network in May 2021, Jirsch Sutherland has been actively growing it. And two new members have joined the network: LCWP (Lim Chee Wee Partnership) in Malaysia and Zhong Lun Law Firm in China.

“We’re thrilled to have these two firms on board,” says Melissa Lau, Jirsch Sutherland Partner and Head of Jirsch Sutherland’s Asia Desk. “They are both experts in their fields, are well connected and commercially minded, and their expertise and experience perfectly complement the GRIP network. China and Malaysia are the 9^th and 20^th biggest investors in Australia and are important trading partners for most regions’ economies – particularly in infrastructure.”

Zhong Lun Law Firm is one of China’s largest full-service firms, with over 360 partners and 2,400 lawyers and other professionals. The firm specialises in providing advice and services across 28 core practice areas, including bankruptcy and restructuring, to local and international companies regarding trade or investment with or in China. Since it was founded in 1993, Zhong Lun has opened offices in China’s economic hubs – Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Haikou. Zhong Lun has 7 international offices and maintains cooperative relationships with leading law firms in numerous countries and territories around the world for both inbound and outbound China-related matters.

“Zhong Lun is among the first Chinese law firms to practice bankruptcy, insolvency, and reorganisation laws,” says Lau. “They have handled a raft of high-profile bankruptcy and restructuring cases, including reorganisations and pre-organisations of listed companies.”

Kuala Lumpur-based LCWP opened its doors in 2020 and since then has been involved in most of the major restructuring cases in Malaysia – cases that included complex schemes of arrangement, judicial management and contentious winding up proceedings. The small but dedicated team, which is led by Lee Shih, largely focuses on international arbitration, commercial litigation, insolvency and restructuring, including cross-border restructuring and multi-jurisdiction asset recovery cases. The firm has been ranked in The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2021 and 2022.

“LCWP has acted in multi-jurisdictional disputes and worked on ground-breaking cases. They offer dedicated teams, hands-on involvement and close partner supervision,” says Lau. “They regularly act in cross-border restructuring and are adept at dealing with international parties.”

Future growth

These two exceptional firms now bring the total number of GRIP Asia-Pacific network members to 15. “We’re focused on continuing to grow the network and are now investigating opportunities with South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the UAE,” adds Lau.

“There has already been a lot of collaboration between GRIP member firms in the Asia-Pacific region and also Europe. It really reinforces the need for such a network where cross-border expertise and knowledge of the different jurisdictions are needed.”