Global law firm bullish on RP

Global law firm Baker & McKenzie International chairman John Conroy yesterday affirmed the law firm’s strong confidence in doing business in the country together with its member firm Quisumbing Torres.

Conroy, who is visiting the country, expressed his firm’s desire to become the "counsel of choice" for most major clients.

According to Conroy, "as chairman of a global law firm with substantial services related investments in the country through our global services in Manila, I can say our service center here continues to grow and we continue to make additional investments."

In a meeting with the press, Conroy expressed Baker & McKenzie’s high regard for its Philippine staff.

According to Conroy, "we have been very pleased with the availability, quality and motivation of the workforce, the country’s technological infrastructure and the cost base in comparison with other countries in the region."

Conroy was optimistic that other investors who are planning to invest in the Philippines would reach the same conclusion.

"I would anticipate other companies looking to invest in similar service-related operations here will come to similar conclusions," Conroy stated.

Baker & McKenzie, together with Quisumbing Torres, currently targets three major industries.

These are energy and natural resources which include petrochemical and mining; information technology, business outsourcing and intellectual property rights and pharmaceuticals and healthcare.

Baker & McKenzie is a global network of more than 3,100 lawyers and 5,200 other professional and staff in 69 offices in 38 countries.

Quisumbing Torres is Baker & McKenzie’s member firm in the Philippines with a total of 49 lawyers and 18 partners.