Bird & Bird is delighted to welcome two new Dispute Resolution (DR) partners in Asia-Pacific: Jonathan Choo, who has joined in Singapore and Robert Rhoda, who will be based in Hong Kong.
Jonathan joins from Olswang, where he headed up the Asian Arbitration & DR practice and co-headed the International Arbitration group. Robert joins from RPC's Hong Kong office, where he was a member of the commercial disputes group focusing on international arbitration.
Jonathan's experience includes a range of significant disputes and arbitrations both in Singapore and overseas. His general commercial disputes background covers disputes across a number of fields, although he places a strong emphasis on the infrastructure, technology and telecommunications sectors. As a seasoned arbitration practitioner, he has advised and represented clients in arbitrations conducted under most of the major institutional rules.
Robert has also been involved in a broad spectrum of complex, high-stakes international arbitration matters, as well as advising on commercial litigation and regulatory matters in both London and Hong Kong. He has particular experience in the financial services, energy and telecommunications sectors. Robert is currently a Vice Chair of the IPBA's Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Committee.
These two appointments represent a major boost to the firm's rapidly growing Asia-Pacific dispute resolution group. They also place us among the strongest arbitration teams in the Asia-Pacific region covering both contentious and non-contentious work.
Richard Keady, head of the Asia-Pacific DR team, commented: "Our DR capabilities in Asia-Pacific have gone from strength to strength in recent years. I'm very pleased to welcome two such high-calibre individuals on board – I know that both Jonathan and Robert will help to cement our growing reputation in the region."
Singapore country heads Lorraine Tay and Sandra Seah said: "Singapore is among the world's leading centres for arbitration, so having an expert as respected as Jonathan on the team puts us in an exceptionally strong position. We're delighted to welcome him."
Steven Baker, co-head of the international DR practice, said: "Jonathan and Robert will be valuable assets to our international group, playing a key role in fulfilling our ambition to become one of the world's leading international DR and arbitration groups. Their shared sector focus is also a great fit with our own strategy."
Jonathan commented: "Bird & Bird's global scope and its stellar reputation across a number of sectors make it the ideal platform for me to continue to develop my practice. I'm looking forward to collaborating with my new colleagues across the firm."
Robert added: "I'm also excited to become part of Bird & Bird's internationally admired DR practice. The opportunity to work with such a broad network of offices and co-operation firms across the region is second to none."
