French Desk

Setting up business in Asia with French-speaking advisers

Singapore is by far Europe’s largest commercial partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Over 10,000 European companies are established in Singapore and benefit from its hub position to serve the whole Pacific Rim. At HJM Asia Law, we understand the importance for our French-speaking clients to be advised by professionals who have a solid knowledge of both European and Asian cultures, markets, regulations and practices. With a robust presence in Singapore and China, HJM boasts extensive experience both on the local and international fronts.

Caroline Berube, Managing Partner of HJM, was born in Quebec and educated in Canada and Singapore. Qualified in New York and Singapore, she is assisted by a team of lawyers from several jurisdictions. Based in Asia for more than nineteen years, she has been successfully helping her clients grow their operations in this part of the world.

We provide business advisory services to our French and French-speaking clients and enhance their business presence in Singapore and China. The clients will benefit from HJM’s global network, including Ms. Berube’s French relationships and her longstanding association with l’Union Internationale des Avocats based in Paris. Ms. Berube has also been teaching at La Sorbonne, Singapore campus, for several years, thereby strengthening the links of the firm with France.

HJM’s experience in numerous areas of practice includes:

  • Cross border Merger and Acquisitions, Corporate Restructuring, Incorporation of companies and compliance work;
  • Commercial law including commercial agreements like distribution agreements, franchise agreements, SPAs (Share Purchase Agreements) and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) agreements;
  • Intellectual property (registration, opposition and infringement proceedings, licensing of intellectual property rights and technology transfers);
  • Regulatory and compliance advice for Indian companies, including advising on the licensing regime and set up business in China and Singapore across various industries; and
  • Cross jurisdictional dispute resolution for companies or individuals, particularly in China under CIETAC (China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission) rules.

As a multicultural boutique law firm, we, at HJM, truly believe that the practice of law requires a real understanding of our clients’ industry and strategy. We deal with the varied requirements of European clients investing in South East Asia and China and of international clients investing in French-speaking jurisdictions. If you are looking for personalised legal services to start such projects, do not hesitate to contact us!