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Baker McKenzie names new APAC chair
Baker McKenzie has confirmed it has appointed an experienced legal professional to the role of Asia-Pacific chair.
Emma Musgrave
Michael Wong has taken on the top job in addition to his continuing role as global executive committee member. The new role comes into effect during the firm’s annual meeting, which was held virtually on 14-28 October.
The appointment of Mr Wong represents the first Taiwanese to be elected as chair of the Asia-Pacific Regional Council, a governing body that is charged with setting regional strategy for the firm’s 17 offices in 12 jurisdictions in Asia Pacific, the statement continued.
“He is also the first Taiwanese to be elected to the Global Executive Committee, a role he took up in October 2018, and succeeds Ai Ai Wong who served on the Firm’s Global Executive Committee from 2016 to 2020 and was the Asia Pacific chair from 2018 to 2020. Ai Ai will return to practice and be based in Singapore,” the statement said.
In the same statement, Baker McKenzie confirmed Shih Yann Loo also joins the firm’s global executive committee for the first time.
Commenting on these announcements, Baker McKenzie’s global chair Milton Cheng said: “I am delighted to welcome Shih Yann to our Global Executive Committee and Michael to his new role as Asia Pacific regional chair. They are both outstanding lawyers, and I am confident that, working closely with our other Executive Committee members, they will continue to drive our success and global strategy moving forward.”
“I would also like to thank Ai Ai Wong for her exceptional leadership and service as outgoing Asia Pacific regional chair, as well as all her contributions to our Executive Committee, supporting the needs of our clients and our people around the globe.”
Commenting on his new role, Mr Wong said: “It is a great privilege to take up the role of Asia Pacific Chair and continue to serve on our Global Executive Committee.”
“2020 has been an eventful year. While no economies could escape the impact of COVID-19, Asia’s relative success in containing the pandemic will see Asia more likely to rebound a lot quicker than the Western economies, further shifting the centre of economic activities to this region.
“The dispute between US and China, however, is likely to continue for some time, which could have a damaging effect on both economic recovery and business activities. As businesses charter a course through this uncertain period and reorganise their supply chains and operations in light of disruption from the pandemic, rising nationalism and digitalisation, we remain committed to standing by our clients and providing them with the services they need as they transform their business operations and get ready to rebound in the post-pandemic economy.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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