Login
International disputes boutique expands Down Under
Lindsay Francis & Mangan (LFM), which currently has offices in Auckland and Singapore, is set to expand into Australia.
Jerome Doraisamy
LFM, which specialises in high-profile litigation and arbitration across the Asia-Pacific region, is set to establish a presence Down Under, which the firm said in a statement “represents a natural step” in its evolution.
Matt Lee is joining LFM as a partner and will be based in Sydney. Most recently, he led the Australian operations of global litigation funder Burford Capital. He began his legal career working with the South Australian Crown Solicitor and Solicitor-General.
With the addition of Lee, all four of the firm’s partners are Australia-qualified lawyers. LFM’s lawyers, across the firm, are admitted in England and Wales, New York, Washington DC, Singapore, New Zealand, and Samoa.
Speaking about the move, partner Tim Lindsay said: “This is a natural evolution for the firm, coupled with what we see is a real opportunity for an independent, blue-chip disputes offering in the Australian market.
“We have been active[ly] representing Australian clients for many years outside of Australia and believe that our client-first culture and hands-on partner engagement with lean and focused teams will resonate in Australia as it has elsewhere.”
Lindsay added: “We have known Matt for some time and know that he will provide a high level of service to clients. Along with his impressive intellect and energy, he brings real outcome-driven experience from his time at Burford, which clients will find invaluable, and serious high-stakes litigation experience. We’re looking forward to growing the firm with Matt in Australia.”
Partner Mark Mangan, who is based in Singapore leading the firm’s arbitration practice, said: “Australia is an increasingly important arbitration market, supported by a strong class of arbitration counsel and arbitrators, which I have had the privilege to observe through my roles with ICC Australia, the ICC Court and ACICA, and in numerous cases.”
“We look forward to contributing to the practice of arbitration and arbitration-related litigation within Australia, with the excellent Matt Lee at the helm leading our efforts. On a personal level, I am thrilled to be re-establishing a professional presence in Australia and look forward to getting into the trenches with Matt on major cases there and across the Asia-Pacific.”
Partner Kim Francis said: “The New Zealand and Australian economies are more deeply connected than ever, and we’ve frequently found ourselves acting for Australian clients dealing with disputes in New Zealand or vice versa.
“Having boots on the ground in Sydney provides clients with a seamless dispute resolution offering across both countries and Singapore. This is particularly important in relation to the increasing incidence of cross-border insolvency administrations at this stage of the global economic cycle.
“Matt is a fine lawyer and a class act, and he will add particular value to our disputes and advisory offerings with his unique experience and expertise in litigation funding and contingent risk insurance.”
Lee said: “The sole focus of our Australian business is to bring exceptional legal service, advice, and advocacy to clients who see value in a lean partner-led results-focused approach.
“The attraction of partnering with Tim, Kim, Mark, and the team at LFM is not just that they are pre-eminent legal practitioners with strong reputations for always diving deep into the details, but also, they have a fundamental understanding of, and commitment to, bringing international best practice and customer service to the resolution of business disputes, particularly cross-border arbitration and litigation, to clients across the Asia-Pacific region.”
He added: “They are the battle-tested lawyers you want in your corner when the game gets tight. My skill set is unique and heavily influenced by my experiences as a trial lawyer, arbitration counsel, and in legal finance. That means that my approach is highly practical, commercial, and laser-focused on the work that moves the needle towards great results for our clients rather than time spent on any given task.
“There are a growing number of Australian businesses and investors that are demanding a more nimble, proactive, and cost-effective approach to resolving their business disputes in ways that are more conscious of their time, resources, and broader business objectives. We are building a firm that has those values front of mind always.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly and HR Leader. He has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. In June 2024, he also assumed the editorship of HR Leader. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
You can email Jerome at:
