The Managing Partner of Ince & Co's Singapore office and the co-director of its alliance firm in the country have both quit the firm, and are taking an unconfirmed number of staff with them (unconfirmed but rumoured in the case of the alliance firm to be, errr, all of them).

Sources have told RollOnFriday that Singapore managing partner Richard Lovell and the chief of alliance firm Incisive Law are both moving to Reed Smith. The sources say that all of the local firm's staff are leaving with them. A spokesman for Ince confirmed the two senior exits, but declined to comment on the scale of the exodus from Incisive Law. He said that Ince is "in discussions" with its local ally "to explore all options available to us". Without licensed staff, the firm would be unable to advise on Singaporean law or provide representation in the local courts, so those options would appear to be re-branding as a photocopying company or coffee bar.

  "Advise yourseeeeeelves"
 

Ince's spokesman said that the firm had an "ongoing commitment" to Singapore and was promoting John Simpson, one of the remaining partners, to managing partner. The firm will also relocate its 'Asia Head of Admirality', Harry Hirst, to the island to ensure "that our Admiralty capability in Singapore remains as strong as ever". As well as being resplendent in blue frock coat and gold laced buttons, he's pretty hot at photocopying and making coffee.
 
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Comments

Anonymous 30 October 15 09:45

I wondered when the truth about Titan-Ince would come out, but actually it is a lot worse than the article suggests. What about the head of insurance at Ince Singapore who has recently left; the head of Energy for Asia, who has resigned and theother partner who has recently left g to go to London?

Anonymous 30 October 15 11:31

Not surprising at all. The writing has been on the wall for a few years for those in the know.

Anonymous 31 October 15 02:40

Unfortunately, a toxic environment developed in that office years ago, the ripples of which are still being felt.

Anonymous 01 November 15 14:02

They need a "fit for purpose" partnership.
Being a good lawyer doesn't necessarily make for a good leader.

Anonymous 02 November 15 09:14

Rough sailing ahead for Ince & Co, this is just the beginning. Huge turnover in staff in the UK office over the last 18 months shows no sign of stopping. Perhaps the move to the smaller, less expensive office will help.

Anonymous 02 November 15 09:25

One look at the headlines over the last few months says it all.

Ince & Co hits choppy water in Singapore as Reed Smith appoints leadership duo
Ince & Co in play as it approaches Watson Farley for tie-up
On the move: Ince & Co cuts costs by downsizing office space
Holman Fenwick Willan takes London banking partner from Ince & Co

Anonymous 02 November 15 15:43

This is a good result for Inces. Word on the street is that this loss making office was set to shut up shop ages ago. Great to hear there's some life for Ince in Singapore, or that's what we should think. Oh well