Olswang has fired off two office cannons in celebration as it announced non-exclusive associations with firms in both Singapore and Hong Kong.

Olswang's alliance in Singapore is with Holborn, a local firm. Given that Olswang's headquarters are in Holborn, London, the firm may experience some teething issues with staff being asked to attend a meeting at Holborn, only to turn up in the wrong continent.

Although Olswang already has an office in Singapore, there are restrictions on the areas of law it can advise on, such as court litigation. The association "will enable us to refer our clients to Holborn where they need local Singapore law advice" Olswang's Asia managing partner Rob Bratby said. "And by Holborn, I mean Holborn Singapore, not Holborn London, obviously" he refrained from adding.

Other international firms to have formed alliances in Singapore this year include Withers with KhattarWong, Herbert Smith with Prolegis, and Holman Fenwick Wilan with AsiaLegal. 

Olswang goes for two at once

Olswang is also hooking up with Haldanes, a Hong Kong based firm. Andrew Stott, Head of Olswang's Corporate practice in Asia said that "the fit is perfect as neither firm has a presence in the other’s home territory". And there was mutual back-slapping from Jonathan Midgley, Senior Partner at Haldanes who said that access to legal services in Singapore was crucial for his firm's clients.

Forming non-exclusive associations is generally a less costly and less risky way to offer services in other jurisdictions than full blown mergers. However former Olswang CEO Dave Stewart championed expansion by merger before he was taken out mobster style last year. Now he's gone Olswang appears to be taking a more cautious approach.