Hogan Lovells has bolstered its technology media telecoms (TMT) group in Asia with the hire of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner Mark Parsons, regional head of intellectual property, IP and TMT for the magic circle firm.

Parsons, who focuses particularly on commercial transactions and regulatory matters in the technology sector, will join the UK firm in Hong Kong at the end of January, and is expected to enhance the corporate and commercial team.

He previously split his time between Freshfields' Hong Kong and Singapore offices, negotiating multi-jurisdictional outsourcing agreements, technology licensing and distribution contracts, and acting for clients on IP/IT aspects of M&A, restructurings and joint ventures.

Top ranked by Chambers & Partners, he also provides advice on regulatory issues, data privacy and telecommunications regulation.

Hogan Lovells is recognised for its TMT practice globally, with partners located across the US, Europe and Asia.

In China it is among a small number of international firms with an agency licence, which has allowed it to establish a domestic intellectual property (IP) agency in Shanghai with a branch office in Beijing, and act for clients on trademark and copyright matters.

Parsons' arrival in Hong Kong comes shortly after that of TMT partner Sheri Jeffrey in Los Angeles, who joined in November last year and has a significant Asian component to her practice.

Specialising in media and entertainment, she has taken an active role advising on the interplay between Chinese media companies and investors and Hollywood.