RPC to finalise combination with Hong Kong associated firm Smyth & Co

The change comes following the successful completion of the required period of association in Hong Kong

Smyth & Co is to officially change its name to Reynolds Porter Chamberlain and will begin trading under the RPC name and brand as of 1 May. 

RPC Managing Partner James Miller says: "While this is simply a name change, and in all respects it is business as usual for us, it does now give us the ability to operate as a single entity in Hong Kong.  

"We are immensely proud of what we have achieved over a relatively short period of time in Asia, both in Hong Kong and Singapore. Our Hong Kong office has continued to surpass every expectation we’ve set. This latest success is a cornerstone for our continued growth and development in the region. We've seen a number of great achievements over the last few years and I don’t expect that to slow down any time soon." 

"Our strength has always been in our people and over the past five years we have focused on recruiting talented people who share our values. We have considerably developed the commercial side of the business across our offices in Asia. We have focused on building out our already substantial litigation offering and most recently, we have significantly enhanced our corporate capabilities," comments Asia Senior Partner David Smyth. 

The change is in line with the Law Society of Hong Kong's regulations, where RPC has served the required period of association with local firm Smyth & Co. 

The Hong Kong office has grown substantially since 2012, when the Smyth & Co and RPC association first began. The office now numbers 70 people, with a number of recent lateral recruits joining including Corporate Finance specialist Janney Chong who joined from Sidley Austin in March and Private Equity Partner Jeremy Cunningham who moved from Mayer Brown to RPC in November 2016. 

Last year, RPC secured a tie up with Singapore firm Premier Law. The Singapore Joint Law Venture, which trades as RPC Premier Law, sees the firm concentrating on banking and financial dispute resolution, M&A, insurance and marine work.