Key partners from Ince & Co in Singapore, and its local alliance firm Incisive Law, are leaving the firm to join Reed Smith.

Ince & Co Singapore managing partner Richard Lovell is leaving the firm after 18 years, and Incisive md Mohan Subbaraman is also moving to Reed Smith, as it seeks to set up its own local law alliance, allowing it to practice Singapore law.

Local law alliance Incisive was set-up in 2011.

Legal Business quote a statement from Reed Smith as saying “As part of Reed Smith's strategy to seek a Formal Law Alliance in Singapore in the near future, the firm hopes to be joined by senior practitioner Mohan Subbaraman from Incisive, part of Ince & Co's Formal Law Alliance in Singapore, and market-leading insurance and marine casualty partner Richard Lovell.

“No date has been confirmed for either Richard or Mohan's arrivals.”

Meanwhile Ince & Co said it had appointed John Simpson as managing partner in Singapore. Simpson has been based in Singapore since 2007 and a partner of the firm since 2010.

Ince & Co’s Asia head of admiralty will be relocating from its Hong Kong office.

Singaporean finance lawyer Devandran Karunakaran will also be promoted to partner.

John Simpson commented: “Singapore is a strategically important location for our clients, particularly those in the shipping sector. We have a total of 13 partners and 30 other fee earners specialising in shipping across Asia. With the addition of Harry and Devandran, we have four partners and five associates specialising in the sector in Singapore alone.”