Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has strengthened its Beijing corporate team with the hire of a partner from Hogan Lovells.

Thomas Man joined the US firm this week (15 August) alongside counsel Brad Herrold. The hire marks a return to Orrick for Man, who left the firm in 2008 to join legacy Lovells.

Man represents both foreign direct investors in China and Chinese enterprises investing abroad. He specialises in complex cross-border transactions involving mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and Greenfield investments.

Herrold has lived and worked in Beijing for nearly 20 years, with a focus on private acquisitions, technology and restructuring.

Orrick Asia managing partner Michelle Taylor told Legal Week: "Corporate is a growing practice area in China that all firms will be looking to strengthen. This hire is a good move for us because it increases our size and gives our China corporate team a significant boost."

She added: "It's very exciting for Thomas to rejoin the team here and we're looking to continue to grow in our other core practice areas of IP, finance and dispute resolution."

Meanwhile, London-based of counsel Veronica Lockyer has been relocated to Orrick's Shanghai office, where she will provide on the ground support for Chinese clients investing in Europe.

Orrick's expansion comes after US firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton launched an office in Beijing last week through the hire of a partner from Squire, Sanders & Dempsey.

James Zimmerman, a chairman emeritus of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, joined the firm last Thursday (11 August) to will lead the new base alongside corporate special counsel Sharon Xu, also from Squire Sanders. Meanwhile partner Jenny Liu and associate Carrie Bai have relocated from Sheppard's Shanghai office.

Click here for more on Sheppard Mullin's Beijing launch