For the first time in the history of legal practice in Nigeria four established commercial and litigation law firms have come together in a very uncommon merger. O. Adekoya & Co., Victor & Charles, Adegbite Adeniji & Co. and WSG member, Anga & Emuwa merged to form ǼLEX (legal practitioners and arbitrators), thereby forming one of the largest law firms in West Africa. The merger was driven by the desire to continue providing quality legal representation to clients, to provide a cost effective alternative to competitors, to expand capacity and develop depth in order to take advantage of the global trend of increasing consolidation, and deal with the untapped capacities in the West African market.

Deacons is pleased to announce that the firm was awarded the 2004 Asian Legal Business 'Investment Funds Law Firm of the Year' and 'Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year' awards at a presentation ceremony held on September 24, 2004.

The 2004 Asian Legal Business Awards were announced and the following WSG members were included in this elite 'Hot 100 Practitioners' list: 1. Andres Gatmaitan, Managing Partner, Sycip, Salazar, Hernandez & Gatmaitan, Philippines 2. Matthew Cockram, Chairman, Bell Gully, New Zealand 3. Cecil Abraham, Partner, Shearn & Delamore, Malaysia 4. Lindsay Esler, Managing Partner, Deacons, Hong Kong.

Several programs were hosted for WSG members in Auckland, New Zealand where over 300 WSG members were attending the International Bar Association's annual conference. Bell Gully, the WSG New Zealand member, was a major participant in the conference and played a great host to WSG participants visiting the country. By partnering up with important conferences of this size, WSG continues to offer its members forums in which to have the opportunity to meet one-on-one, strengthen relationships and increase business opportunities.

"Estrategia y Negocios", the leading business magazine of Central America and the Caribbean, published its list of the 'Best law firms in the region', rating Morgan & Morgan as the No. 1 firm in Panama and the largest in all of Central America.

In early 2005, Panama will host the conference and exposition "Panama Maritime VII", whose principal theme will be "Expansion of the Panama Canal and its Impact". Juan David Morgan, Jr., partner in charge of the Maritime Litigation Department of Morgan & Morgan, has been appointed as Chairman of the Organizing Committee by the boards of the Maritime Chamber of Panama and the Panamanian Association of Maritime Law.