BrazilEY recruits John Knox to lead legal managed services for Asia Pacific
Ernst & Young has recruited former Lawyers on Demand director John Knox as its new Legal Managed Services leader for the Asia Pacific.
Having recently risen to the top of the Global Alternative Legal Services Provider rankings compiled by legal sector analysis and research consultancy Acritas, Big Four professional services giant Ernst & Young has signaled its further intent for firm’s legal services line in the region with the recruitment of industry veteran John Knox as its new Asia-Pacific Legal Managed Services leader.
Joining EY as a partner in Singapore, Knox as a co-founder crosses from Lawyers on Demand (LOD – which itself placed 8th on the most recent Acritas alternative legal services index), where for the past decade or so he has served as a director. Prior to LOD, Knox spent four years between Hong Kong and New York as Head of Business Development for Allen & Overy, joining from King & Wood Mallesons.
“John is a great addition to Law in Asia-Pacific,” stated EY’s Asia-Pacific Tax Leader Eng Ping Yeo, who has been with the firm for more than the past two decades. “We believe his knowledge and energy will accelerate EY growth in legal advisory and legal operations and add depth and capability across a broader range of EY services in the Asia-Pacific.”
According to the firm, which says the appointment reaffirms its commitment to building a multi-faceted legal services business in the Asia Pacific, Knox in his new role will be responsible for leading the local EY Law teams in redefining the future of legal services in the region – “helping corporate legal departments do more with less and transform their operations to help deliver increased value to their businesses.”
“Legal departments recognise that the future lies in aligning more closely with broader business transformation,” said Dmitry Tetiouchev, EY Asia-Pacific Law Leader. “Now having John on board, we are well positioned to provide clients broadened legal services offerings to help guide and implement their transformation agenda.” A recent EY survey found that local legal functions are under significant pressure.
Knox said in reponse; “I am thrilled to join EY at such an exciting time. Clients are having to deliver more with less and EY Law teams have all the pieces of the puzzle to address client needs in an efficient, cost effective and increasingly digital way.” Citing the recent acquisitions of Riverview Law and Pangea3, he added; “The EY Law ambition is there for all to see and I am extremely proud to be part of it.”
Meanwhile, EY recently lost its Asia Pacific Digital Law Leader Alec Christie to Australian law firm Mills Oakley, with Christie recruited to lead its newly launched digital law practice in Sydney. A partner with EY since 2015, Christie also spent a period as special counsel at KPMG Legal, along with stints at Baker McKenzie and as a partner and Intellectual Property and Technology leader at DLA Piper.
