Law firm Minter Ellison has announced the opening of an office in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, in line with the firm’s international strategy to build a powerful regional capability, focusing on several key areas including the energy and resources sector.

Elisabeth Ellis, a senior partner with the firm’s Hong Kong office, will head up the new Mongolian base as resident partner. She will be based in Ulaanbaatar full time with support from the firm’s regional energy and resources group and a team of local Mongolian lawyers.

John Weber, Minter Ellison’s Chief Executive Partner, said Mongolia was a “logical” next step for the firm and an increasingly strategic market with a substantial resource-based economy. He said Mongolia was attracting the attention of the global resources industry, including Australian companies – some of them existing Minter Ellison clients.

“Our geographic expansion has always been client driven, and clients with existing or emerging interests in Mongolia are telling us they want us in that market,” Mr Weber said.

He said the firm’s experience in Greater China had demonstrated the importance of having an on-the-ground presence when working with clients.

Originally from Australia, Elisabeth Ellis has worked with Minter Ellison in Hong Kong since 1999. Ms Ellis has significant experience as a senior lawyer working in the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors in Australia and Asia, and builds on existing client relationships in Mongolia.

Ms Ellis said she felt encouraged by the extent of the client demand for the firm’s on-the-ground capabilities in Mongolia.

“I’ve spent considerable time in Ulaanbaatar prior to the opening of our office and witnessed significant momentum, both in terms of the emerging economy in this area and interest from our clients. I’m most enthusiastic about Minter Ellison’s future in North Asia,” Ms Ellis said.

Minter Ellison has four offices in Asia, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. ■