Slaughter and May has appointed a new Beijing office head as long-serving partner George Goulding prepares to retire after 36 years at the firm.

Hong Kong corporate partner Lisa Chung is set to take up the role of Beijing head when Goulding, who has led Slaughters' Beijing arm since it opened in September 2009, steps down later this year.

Chung said: "We expect that China, along with the rest of Asia, will continue to be a major area of growth and source of work for the future. As our practice develops, we will assess where our partners and associates are best based to promote our China practice. 

"Our Beijing office has been working, and will continue to work, in close co-operation with our Hong Kong office in advising not only our London clients but also local clients in China and Hong Kong."

Chung will be the sole partner in Slaughters' Beijing office, alongside a further seven partners in the firm's Hong Kong base.

Meanwhile, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed Asia finance chief David Winfield to head up its Hong Kong office following the departure of Kay Ian Ng to Sullivan & Cromwell last month.

Winfield has been named Hong Kong managing director for a three-year term, effective 1 July, and will continue to lead the Asia finance practice alongside 
his new role.