Elizabeth Broomhall In Hong Kong

February 05, 2014 | International Edition

King & Wood Mallesons will send partners from China and Europe on secondment to other jurisdictions this year as part of its integration programme in the wake of its merger with SJ Berwin.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

February 04, 2014 | International Edition

The head of litigation for Herbert Smith Freehills in South East Asia is to leave the firm to lead the regional disputes practice for Hogan Lovells. Maurice Burke, who is based in Singapore with HSF, will begin his new role in May this year and will also be based with Hogan Lovells in the island city-state.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

January 30, 2014 | International Edition

The acquisition of American pork producer Smithfield Foods by Hong Kong-based meat manufacturer Shuanghui International Holdings came at a good time for Hong Kong's corporate lawyers. Last year's $7.1bn (£4.2bn) deal was the largest ever takeover of a US business by a Chinese company and was announced just as a host of law firms were focusing their energies on Chinese outbound investment. When it came to choosing their advisers, it was no surprise that both Shuanghui and Smithfield picked US firms with which they had long-term relationships. Wall Street firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett was appointed lead counsel on the US side, having advised Smithfield since the turn of the century, while Paul Hastings was selected by Shuanghui, having assisted it on restructuring, offshore activities and other transactions since 2003.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

10 minute read

January 28, 2014 | International Edition

Allen & Overy has relocated US corporate finance partner Jim Wickenden from London to Hong Kong following the departure of one of its most senior US partners in Asia, James Grandolfo.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

January 24, 2014 | International Edition

Slaughter and May has made its first ever lateral partner hire in Asia with the addition of Morrison & Foerster US capital markets partner John Moore in Hong Kong. The magic circle firm, which rarely makes lateral hires, has brought in Moore as part of a strategy to provide US law counsel in the region.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

January 24, 2014 | International Edition

DLA Piper has hired O'Melveny & Myers partner Mark Fairbairn to head its restructuring group in Asia. The UK firm, which has undergone a number of changes to its Asia management structure in the last two years, has created a new role of Asia restructuring head in a bid to enhance the scope of work it does in this area.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

January 23, 2014 | International Edition

Chinese law firm Jun He has established a five partner government procurement practice to deal with a wave of new legal work expected to come from China's central government. The Beijing headquartered outfit, which last year saw a revenue increase of 15%, has launched the new group to focus exclusively on tendering, research and business development associated with upcoming government mandates.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

3 minute read

January 23, 2014 | International Edition

Dentons is eyeing significant expansion in Asia through a five-part strategy which includes building up partners and joining with local outfits. The global firm, founded last year through a merger between SNR Denton, Fraser Milner Casgrain and Salans, is seeking to substantially bolster its revenues coming from the region.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

4 minute read

January 21, 2014 | International Edition

Eversheds' former managing partner for Asia Nick Seddon has joined consultancy Beaton Capital as a partner and recruitment company Olivier Cheah as a director. Seddon, who left the UK firm last February, has moved out of private practice to take a corporate advisory role at Beaton, and to work alongside Hong Kong recruiter Jim Olivier to assist firms with lateral partner hires in the city.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read

January 20, 2014 | International Edition

Japanese law firm Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is to open two new offices in Yangon, Myanmar, and Osaka, Japan. The Tokyo headquartered outfit will be the second Japanese firm to open in the two cities, with rival Nishimura & Asahi also launching in the former Burmese capital and largest city in May last year, and in Osaka in 2012.

By Elizabeth Broomhall in Hong Kong

2 minute read