HONG KONG--()--Axiom, a 1,000 person new model firm that helps General Counsel manage their workload more effectively, today announced that it has hired Mark Velthuis to be the Managing Director of its growing Asian operations.
Like its business model in the US and UK, Axiom Asia employs a radically streamlined cost-structure and accumulated expertise in the business of law to help clients manage legal work more effectively. To that end, the firm serves nearly half of the Fortune 100 across 10 offices and 4 delivery centers globally and practices in a wide-range of industries and specialties through three forms of engagement that include:
- Insourcing of secondees
- End-to-end outsourcing of entire managed functions through its newly formed Managed Services division
- Complex projects, including patent discovery in large IP litigations, responses to governmental investigations and post-merger/ post-disposition reconciliations
Initially, Velthuis will be based in Hong Kong, where Axiom opened an office in 2010. There, he will serve to solidify and expand Axiom’s footprint in Asia and act as a senior voice for regional clients who are trying to develop a legal strategy to support international growth into the region.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Mark into Axiom’s senior management team,” said Axiom COO, Paul Carr. “Many of our clients have made significant investments in the Asian marketplace. As such, they need a partner who can help them navigate the unique legal complexities that accompany multi-jurisdictional growth. Mark will be an invaluable asset in helping GCs not only mitigate multi-shore risks but identify the legal issues that are specific to the Asian business community.”
Velthuis will be responsible for deepening and developing relationships with Western and Asian headquartered multi-nationals including clients in the Finance, Pharmaceutical and Oil and Gas industries. He will manage an existing team of 20 lawyers. Along with the firm’s existing Asia Regional Managers, Kirsty Dougan and Serena Wallace-Turner, he will also be responsible for structuring and delivering Axiom’s complex outsourcing and secondment engagements at new and existing clients throughout the region.
“I am excited to join Axiom, a firm that is disrupting the legal industry,” said Mr. Velthuis. “I think Axiom is uniquely positioned to help drive significant efficiencies for corporate legal departments in Asia and I look forward to being part of its continued growth in this important region.”
Mark adds depth to an already strong management team in Asia, which includes the aforementioned Dougan and Wallace-Turner. Dougan is a former Senior Lecturer in Law and the author of several legal texts on IP, Anti-trust and EU law and was Regional Counsel for Diageo for Greater China. Wallace-Turner previously worked in law firm management in Beijing (with Allen & Overy) and Hong Kong (with Clifford Chance).
About Axiom
Axiom, is a 1,000 person new model firm that employs a radically streamlined cost-structure and accumulated expertise in the business of law to help clients manage legal work more effectively. The firm serves nearly half of the Fortune 100 across 10 offices and 4 delivery centers globally. www.AxiomLaw.com
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