K&L Gates Names Tokyo Office Leader as Firm's New Managing Partner for Asia

Tokyo – Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has selected J. Ryan Dwyer, III, to succeed David Tang as Regional Managing Partner, Asia. Tang will remain a partner with the firm, focusing more fully on his practice in the areas of cross-border transactions and advising on corresponding regulatory risks and issues.

Dwyer, who has served as managing partner of the firm’s Tokyo office since its opening in 2010 and will continue to do so in his new role, concentrates his practice on cross-border M&A for Japanese clients investing outside of Japan, foreign direct investment by US clients and other non-Japanese companies, and international joint ventures involving Asia-based parties.

Over his 14-year tenure with the firm, Dwyer has held multiple global leadership roles at K&L Gates, including serving as a member of the firm’s global advisory council and management committee and as a global coordinator of its M&A practice group. He also has helped drive strategic growth of the firm in Japan and beyond, most recently through the expansion of the firm’s finance capabilities in Tokyo with the hire of partner Dominic Gregory in June.

K&L Gates’ Global Managing Partner Jim Segerdahl commented: “Ryan is an exceptional lawyer, experienced leader, and trusted colleague who personifies the firm’s values, which include fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment and helping colleagues realize their professional goals and potential. He has a proven track record of attracting and coordinating talent to help clients fully capitalize on opportunities presented across Asian markets. We look forward to working with him across the firm to advance our global and regional capabilities and to further our mission of serving clients at the highest level in Asia and beyond.”

Tang said: “Ryan has long experience in Japan and across Asia.  He is well-grounded in office management and in the dynamics of the Asia legal practice. Ryan will be a terrific leader of our Asia practice and will continue its successful trajectory and our strong culture emphasizing collaboration and integration for the benefit of our clients and colleagues.”

Having served in several different firmwide management roles for 40 years in the United States and as the firm’s primary architect and leader of its Asia practice, Tang has been the driving force behind K&L Gates’ strategy and talent acquisition across dynamic Asian markets and its current positioning in Asia. Tang spearheaded the opening of the firm’s first Asia-based office in Hong Kong in 1996 when he was the firmwide managing partner of K&L Gates predecessor firm Preston Gates & Ellis in the United States, and since has led the opening of six other regional offices, including Taipei (2003), Beijing (2004), Shanghai (2008), Tokyo (2010), and Seoul (2012). He also oversaw the establishment of the Singapore office in 2009, as well as arranged the office’s combination with Straits Law Practice LLC in 2019, allowing the firm to advise clients on local and international law in Singapore. More recently, Tang helped orchestrate the launch of the firm’s Chinese trademark agency in Beijing in 2021.

Segerdahl noted: “We are extremely grateful to David for his enormous contributions to our firm, and our strong positioning and bright future in Asia in particular. We are pleased that David will be continuing as a practicing partner, and know that he will continue to be a major contributor in that capacity and as a source of wisdom regarding our worldwide markets, challenges, and opportunities. David is a true force, and our firm has benefitted significantly from his leadership regionally and globally.”

Dwyer said: “It is a great privilege to take on the role of Regional Managing Partner for K&L Gates in Asia. Asia continues to be a region of key strategic focus for the firm as we seek to grow and develop our existing capabilities to meet increasing client demand. I am very grateful to David for his leadership, vision, and commitment to our offices and clients in Asia. I look forward to building on his legacy, continuing our strong momentum, collaborating with colleagues from across our global offices, and leading the firm in Asia towards an ever brighter future.”