Norton rose has promoted five lawyers to the partnership in the Asia-Pacific – with two promoted in Canberra, one in Shanghai, one in Singapore and one in Sydney.

Robert Driver, a senior banking associate in the firm’s Singapore office has been made partner this week. Experienced in the shipping, offshore and commodities trade sectors, he advises ship-owners, oil & gas companies and financial institutions on both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Prior to his promotion, Driver spent a year in the firm’s Piraeus office and two years in Singapore between 2003 and 2005. In addition, he spent nine months on secondment at BP Shipping. He returned to Singapore in August 2007.

Norton Rose has promoted Sun Hong, a corporate finance of counsel based in Shanghai. Hong focuses her practice on foreign direct investment, joint ventures and corporate transactions involving PRC assets or entities.

Other lawyers promoted within the Asia-Pacific region include Canberra-based Bill Kritharas and Ben Allen and Marnie Mcconnell in Sydney.ALB

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• Ashurst hires first litigation partner in Hong Kong (14 Apr 2010)
• Lee Hishammuddin appoints MSC Malaysia head of legal, new IP partner (1 Apr 2011)
• Rajah & Tann hiring blitz; appoints seven partners and counsels (18 Feb 2011)