Simmons & Simmons is now allowed to offer local law advice in Singapore, after establishing a joint law venture with JWS Asia Law.

Now known domestically as Simmons & Simmons JWS Pte Ltd, the firm which has previously been practicing international law in Singapore, will expand its offering across the financial spectrum.

Simmons & Simmons has an established trade and commodity finance practice in Singapore, with high-profile partners such as Dan Marjanovic and Matthew Cox. This latest move sees it follow a number of rival firms in establishing JLVs with Singaporean firms.

In 2013, for instance, Clyde & Co established a JLV with local firm Clasis LLC of Singapore. Watson Farley & Williams entered an alliance with Asia Practice LLC in 2011, but mutually agreed to terminate the JLV earlier this year.

Simmons & Simmons JWS will be headed by managing partner Jeremy Hoyland, who says: “Given Singapore’s increasing importance as a commodities, asset management and financial institution hub, we are excited about the opportunities this brings to further expand our leading practices in each of these areas.”