Linklaters has lost Hong Kong capital markets partner David Ludwick, who is departing for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

His departure will leave Linklaters with five US law specialist partners in its Asia offices.

The former Davis Polk & Wardwell man relocated to Hong Kong from London is 2009. He has experience advising investment banking and corporate investment clients in connection with multi-jurisdiction equity and debt deals.

He joined Linklaters New York office as an associate in 1998 and worked his way up to become a partner in 2005.

Freshfields' Asia managing partner Robert Ashworth said in a statement that Ludwick had advised on "a prolific number of deals for clients in recent years".

He added: "As companies and institutions look for more flexibility in how they raise and use capital, they're increasingly looking for advisers that have the breadth of expertise that David offers.

"David understands the Asian deal-making environment and has tremendous experience working on transactions in emerging markets.

"He's a rare legal talent in this part of the world."

In January, Linklaters lost Hong Kong-based corporate partner Peggy Wang to White & Case.

In the same month, Freshfields and Linklaters worked together on the restructuring of one of Hong Kong's biggest conglomerates. Under the deal $24bn deal Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa brought all of their non-property assets into a new company called CK Hutchison Holdings.