"Leading Clifford Chance in Asia is the most exciting challenge in the firm today, and growing our business in the region is critical to the firm's success," says Charlton who was in Hong Kong on Monday to meet with clients and staff. "I am delighted to be elected to lead the team at such an exciting time."
A partner in Clifford Chance since 1986, Charlton was appointed head of the global corporate practice in 2005. He was previously managing partner of the firm's London office, responsible for some 2,500 lawyers and staff, and so he has experience running a large office. While the London office has more lawyers, the Asian operations are a bit more widespread and in growth mode: Clifford Chance has more than 350 lawyers in the region and offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.
"In the past 12 months, business and investment flows around the globe have changed beyond all recognition, and Asia increasingly sits at the heart of the world economy," notes Charlton, who has been back and forth to the region frequently in the past few years thanks to his job heading up the corporate practice.
"We have a world-class legal team with a deep understanding of the region û my challenge is to help the firm and its people grow further and to ensure that we provide the thinking that our clients need during these changing times," he adds.
Charlton's election to a four-year term by an Asian partnership ballot follows the retirement of former Asia managing partner Jim Baird due to ill health. The process to appoint a new global head of the corporate practice will begin shortly.
Charlton specialises in corporate finance, domestic and cross-border M&A, restructurings, buyouts, takeovers, and stock exchange matters. A native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK, Charlton was educated at the city's Royal Grammar School before studying law at University College London.
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