Akin Gump has expanded its investment management capabilities in Asia with the relocation of investment management partner Olivia Chung and senior counsel Divya Thakur to its Singapore office. Previously, Chung and Thakur were resident in the firm’s New York and London offices, respectively.
Their arrival boosts the firm’s private equity funds and hedge funds practices on the ground in Asia and will further complement its highly recommended funds practices in Hong Kong, the United States and Europe.
Robert Griffin, investment management partner and head of Akin Gump’s Singapore office, says: “By further developing our funds practice in Singapore, we provide our clients – both locally and internationally – with advice exactly where they need it, with two additional lawyers with well-established insight into helping clients doing business in the region. I am delighted to welcome Olivia and Divya to Singapore.”
Prakash Mehta, co-head of Akin Gump’s investment management practice, adds: “This move will support our private equity and hedge fund clients in achieving their goals across South and Southeast Asia, including India, which continues to offer significant opportunities. This move will also allow Olivia and Divya to expand the support they provide to our Hong Kong funds practice.”
Chung assists private fund sponsors in relation to the formation, structuring and ongoing operation of private equity funds and hedge funds as well as managed accounts and investment solutions. She represents some of the world’s leading private equity, hedge fund and fund of funds sponsors. She also represents institutional investors acquiring and selling investments in private funds and establishing co-investment arrangements.
Chung is registered as a foreign lawyer in Singapore and is admitted to practice in New York.
Thakur assists established and first-time fund sponsors and managers in the formation of a broad range of investment funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds and other structured fund products. She advises clients in structuring their business and ongoing operational, management and compliance issues. Her clients include sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, investment banks, multinational companies and US, European and Asian companies.
In 2019, Thakur was named by India Business Law Journal to its “International A-List,” a list of the top 100 international lawyers for India-related matters.
Thakur is registered as a foreign lawyer in Singapore and qualified to practice in India, New York, and England and Wales.
