Lawyers and teams from Carey Olsen's Singapore and Hong Kong offices have secured strong endorsements in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

Both offices are ranked within the guide's offshore section with the firm's Tier One ranked Singapore practice praised by market commentators for being 'comprised of professionals who have worked at the highest levels in top tier law firms across a variety of jurisdictions' and how 'this breadth sets them apart from other firms'.

Similarly, Carey Olsen's Hong Kong office, which is led by managing partner Michael Padarin, is commended for its focus 'on providing partner-led advice and service which makes it stand out from the crowd', while another industry source highlights the  'very responsive, mobile and flexible set of offshore law lawyers that are able to provide a one-stop-shop service to cover various types of finance transactions'. The firm's litigation offering in Hong Kong is also flagged as 'a cornerstone of the practice' and one that was strengthened with the arrival of partner Jeremy Lightfoot in early 2020 and the relocation of counsel Henry Tucker from Carey Olsen Bermuda.

A leading directory for the legal industry, Legal 500 grades law firms following a thorough and independent research process, which includes interviews with clients and peers as well as information provided by the firms themselves.

Within the 2021 Asia commentary, Singapore managing partner Anthony McKenzie is praised for providing 'advice that is both legally on point, but commercially sound' as well as for his background working in Australia, the UK, the US and the Cayman Islands, which 'makes his advice rare and invaluable when considering multi-jurisdictional problems'. Industry sources describe fellow Singapore partner James Noble as 'extremely responsive' and someone who 'truly takes care of client needs and concerns'.

In Hong Kong, partner James Webb is recognised as 'a very experienced lawyer, who has a strong knowledge of fund finance transactions and the fund finance market and adds significant value to the transaction'. Senior associate Daniel Moore, another member of the Hong Kong finance team, is praised for always being 'able to walk the extra miles to offer ideas beyond the work scope'.

Carey Olsen has had a presence in Asia since opening its Singapore office in 2015. It launched its Hong Kong office a year later.