The Hong Kong Law Society has elected Ambrose Lam, the managing partner of local firm Lam Lee & Lai as its new president.

Lam, who specialises in conveyancing and commercial work and replaces corporate partner Dieter Yih from Milbank Tweed & Hadley, will lead the 20 member council and governing body of the Law Society for a minimum of one year with effect from this month.

A member of the Law Society council since 2004, two of which serving as vice president, Lam currently chairs the Greater China Legal Affairs Committee and the Consents Committee, and throughout his time at the Society has sought to boost relations between lawyers in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

He is also a member of the Bar Issues Commission Policy Committee of the International Bar Association, the largest global organisation for legal professionals around the world.

In a statement, he said he will continue to explore business opportunities for Law Society members both locally and internationally.

A mix of local and international solicitors were also selected as members of the new Law Society council.

Those from international firms include Milbank's Dieter Yih, Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson consultant and ex-managing partner Huen Wong, Clifford Chance litigation partner Brian Gilchrist, Denis Brock, King & Wood Mallesons dipsutes partner, and Charles Chau, an M&A partner from Morrison & Foerster.