Jonathan Culshaw, the Asia managing partner and global head of investment funds at offshore law firm Harneys, has passed away. He was 48.

Culshaw, who began his career in London with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, became a partner at Harneys in 2008. In January 2012, he moved to Hong Kong as the firm’s Asia managing partner.

Under his leadership, the firm established an office in Tokyo in 2015,  and officially launched its Shanghai office in 2017. It became only the second offshore law firm to receive a licence from China’s Ministry of Justice to offer international legal services.

In a 2015 interview with Asian Legal Business, he spoke about his experience as Asia managing partner of Harneys. “It was quite a transition in more ways than one, moving from a sleepy Hampshire commuter town to Hong Kong’s hustle, and from a transactional to my first management role – grinder to minder,” he said. “Looking back, I am not sure what my credentials were, to be honest. I don’t have any language skills or expert knowledge of the region. I’d like to think though that I have helped create a harmonious office, that people here feel supported in their efforts, and that my communication style is always truthful and direct.”

Harneys released a statement calling Culshaw an “integral part of our success over the past decade”.

“He was a highly valued colleague and close friend to us all and our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family and friends,” the firm added.

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