Third time lucky for Herbert Smith with Indonesian firms

Herbert Smith has linked up with its third Indonesian firm in four years, saying this time it is for good.

The City firm has agreed to associate with five-partner commercial firm, Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung and hired a former corporate partner from top Australian firm Allens Arthur Robinson to be seconded to the office as a partner.

David Dawborn is fluent in Bahaza Indonesian.

Singapore managing partner Mark Newbery said the moves are related.

Herbert Smith switched allegiances from Prof Dr Mariam Darus Badrulzaram & Partners to a non-exclusive alliance with Kramadibrata Karim Sani Manihuruk (KKSM) in 1998.

Mr Newbery said: 'We've always known that it's important to find a top-class firm.

The previous association with KKSM split, partly as a result of the Asian financial crisis, but no doubt there were other reasons.

We've now got what we always wanted.'

Anne Mizzi