Freshfields welcomes a new partner: former HSF Kramer Asia IP co-head joins the firm
Global law firm Freshfields has made a strategic move by hiring IP and TM expert Harry Evans as a partner in its Singapore office. Evans, who previously served as co-head of the Asia IP/Commercial team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, brings over 15 years of experience and leadership in IP/TMT law to Freshfields.
With the addition of Evans, Freshfields now has nine partners in Singapore. This move strengthens Freshfields' capabilities and presence in the IP (intellectual property), technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sectors, particularly in the rapidly growing life sciences industry in Asia-Pacific.
Evans' deep expertise and proven leadership in the life sciences sector is seen as invaluable by Freshfields. His extensive experience advising clients on technology, intellectual property, and commercial matters will be a huge asset to Freshfields' clients, according to Nicholas Lingard, Singapore managing partner.
Matthew O'Callaghan, Freshfields' Asia regional managing partner, expressed excitement about Evans joining the firm. He believes that Evans' addition will enhance the firm's ability to advise on complex technology, IP, and commercial matters, including high-stakes corporate transactions and contentious patent work in life sciences, which is a key growth area attracting significant investment in Asia.
Evans will work closely with Richard Bird, head of Freshfields’ IP/data group in Asia. Together, they will collaborate across practice groups such as M&A, antitrust, and disputes on mandates involving innovative technologies and intellectual capital protection, complementing the expertise of other partners like Richard Bird.
The tech and life sciences sectors in Asia are key areas of growth for Freshfields' clients, according to O'Callaghan. The strategic hire positions Freshfields to better serve clients in Singapore and across Southeast Asia in sectors driving innovation and investment—including tech and life sciences—by offering more effective and integrated legal solutions. It also increases Freshfields' Singapore office partnership to nine, signaling the firm's commitment to expanding its influence and capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Evans' arrival at Freshfields is part of the firm's strategic investment into Southeast Asia and other high-growth industries. It marks one of the first moves by Freshfields following the merger between HSF and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel. Evans is one of the first Asia partners to exit following the merger.
Before joining Freshfields, Evans joined Herbert Smith Freehills as a senior associate in 2018, having previously worked at Linklaters in London and Allens in Australia.
At Freshfields, Evans will collaborate with the firm's mergers and acquisitions, antitrust, and disputes teams globally, further enhancing Freshfields' ability to deliver more effective solutions for its clients in the rapidly evolving Asian market.
- Freshfields' strategic hire of Harry Evans, an IP and TM expert, strengthens the firm's capabilities in the intellectual property, technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, particularly in the life sciences industry, aligning with the key growth areas for their clients in Asia.
- Evans' addition to Freshfields increases the firm's presence, with nine partners now in Singapore, and provides a boost to their ability to advise on complex technology, IP, and commercial matters, including high-stakes corporate transactions and contentious patent work in life sciences.
- As part of Freshfields' strategic investment into Southeast Asia and other high-growth industries, Evans will collaborate with the firm's mergers and acquisitions, antitrust, and disputes teams globally, delivering more effective solutions for clients in the rapidly evolving Asian market, leveraging his expertise in technology, intellectual property, and finance.
