Pinsent Masons expands eastwards

McMillan takes over Scottish operation as Connor heads for Hong Kong

News, 7 February 2007

Leading law firm, Pinsent Masons, has made two significant appointments within its senior management team, responding to an upsurge in business in its operations in Asia Pacific and Scotland.

Vincent Connor, currently head of Pinsent Masons in Scotland, is moving to Hong Kong, to take up a senior management role in the multinational firm's Asia Pacific practice.

In addition to its office in Hong Kong, Pinsent Masons has an established presence in Shanghai and a new office in Beijing, which opened in January 2007. Connor's new role is to develop the firm's practice across the region.

Connor's experience in construction lies behind the move, as Pinsent Masons reports strong client demand in the region for its core sectors of construction, technology, projects, corporate and project finance. The Asia Pacific team now numbers over 40 lawyers, including 12 partners.

In Scotland, Vincent Connor will be succeeded by Fraser McMillan, currently head of the Scottish construction team and a co-founder of the Scottish practice in 1998. The firm's 75 lawyers in Scotland are set to expand into a further 7,000 sq ft of accommodation at 123 St Vincent Street, Glasgow following a 44% rise in revenue last year.

Describing his new appointment as "a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in the firm's ongoing international expansion", Vincent Connor added: "Whilst I shall be sad to leave Scotland, I am confident that Fraser will take Pinsent Masons in Scotland from strength to strength."

Fraser McMillan commented: "The prospects for future expansion are very exciting and it's a privilege to be asked to lead our team in the next stage of our development."