Clifford Chance

Leading Asia Pacific technology partner Luke Grubb to join Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance today announced that market leading technology partner Luke Grubb will join the firm's Corporate practice in Singapore to further deepen its regional capabilities to support clients dealing with strategic opportunities in relation to all forms of disruptive technology and complex challenges arising from the rapid digitalisation of the economy.

Luke's knowledge of technology-related transactions includes more than 20 years of experience advising on commercial contracts, technology driven mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, as well as intellectual property, data privacy, cyber security, fintech and payment systems. At his current firm he heads the Technology, Media and Commercial practice for Asia.

Kai Schneider, Singapore Managing Partner said, "We are excited to have Luke join our team. His expertise perfectly complements our existing strong transactional offering, bringing additional experience of advising leading businesses and fast-growing market innovators across a wide range of tech-driven strategic and commercial issues. Integrating Luke into our broad-based practice will bring significant benefits for clients as they develop their business in light of new technologies and digital disruption."

Regional Managing Partner for Asia Pacific Geraint Hughes offered, "Technology is having a transformative effect for our clients across the region and globally, as demonstrated by much of our recent work. The addition of Luke shows our continued commitment to invest to meet the evolving needs of our clients -- helping them navigate a fast-changing landscape where access to the right combination of sector, product, geographic and tech legal expertise is fundamental to their success."
This announcement reflects the continued growth of the Firm's technology practice. Recent Asia Pacific transactions include advising on: the largest single round investment in an artificial intelligence company globally for China's leading AI firm SenseTime Group on its US$410 million Series B preferred share investments by private equity funds and institutional investors; Lenovo Group's innovative dual-tranche financing; the US IPO and NASDAQ listing of Secoo Holding, Asia's largest online integrated upscale products and services platform and first US IPO of a Chinese e-commerce company since Alibaba in 2014; United Luck's US$1 billion acquisition of 100% of the shares of Outfit7, the creator and developer of highly-popular mobile APPs; and Menulog Group on its AUD$855 million acquisition by Just Eat.

Global Head of Corporate Guy Norman said, "Our global team is delighted to welcome Luke. Not only does he have a well-established Asia practice, but also extensive global expertise having advised on numerous large-scale cross-border transactions."