He will assume the role from 1 July 2020, taking over from partner Denise Jong who has been in the role since 1 January 2018.
Evagora has been with the firm since 1997 and became a partner in 2000. He has already held several leadership roles at the firm, including: leader of the Global Energy and Natural Resources industry Group from 2007 to 2017; vice chair of the Business and Finance Department from 2017 to 2020, and most recently, since the start of this year, head of strategy for Asia Pacific. He will continue to serve on the firm’s executive committee and maintain his practice in international commercial dispute resolution.
As well as being recognised for his legal work and his work as a client relationship partner, Evagora has been a proponent and champion for diversity, inclusion and equality within the legal industry and in business. In 2019 Evagora was recognised as an OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model List - Top 100 LGBT+ Executives and was identified in The Financial Times as a Top 100 LGBT global executive.
Having relocated from New York to Singapore at the beginning of 2020, Evagora has been supporting Jong to identify new opportunities for the firm and to grow the firm’s client relationships in the region. His new role, as Asia managing partner, will see him continuing to develop and grow the firm’s offering and presence throughout Asia.
Jong, based in Hong Kong, will remain co-chair of the firm’s Global Corporate Group and will focus on advising clients on corporate transactions and investments, mainly in Greater China and South East Asia.
Jong trained with the firm in London and became a partner in 1998. She served on the firm’s executive committee from 2008 to 2015. During her tenure as Asia managing partner, Jong significantly expanded Reed Smith’s offering in the region. Through several strategic partner level hires she enhanced the firm’s practices in litigation, energy and natural resources and global regulatory enforcement in Asia. In 2019 alone, Jong led the hire of six partners for the Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong offices. The firm now has a 150 lawyers across Asia, including 42 partners.
Reed Smith’s global managing partner Sandy Thomas said: “Denise’s leadership across the Asia-Pacific region has been of huge value for the firm. We are indebted to her for her guidance, sharp strategy and steadying hand that has led to the continued growth of the firm across our Asian offices.”
“This year is our 40th in the region, and we are delighted to have Kyri stepping into the role. I have no doubts he will deliver the quality we have all become accustomed to, ensuring our clients continue to receive the very best possible service.”