Paul Hastings has recruited an investigations partner in Asia from disputes specialist firm Kobre & Kim.

Shaun Wu most recently led Kobre & Kim's Shanghai office, which he helped launch in 2017. He will lead Paul Hastings' Greater China investigations and white-collar defense practice and work closely with the rest of the Asia practice.

Wu, who is bilingual in English and Mandarin, represents multinationals in investigations and compliance reviews involving China, with a focus on the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other enforcement matters. He has also served as the compliance monitor and investigator to various corporations debarred by the World Bank for fraudulent practices, assessing and monitoring the implementation of their compliance policies. Wu also represents governments, state-owned enterprises and multinationals in the U.S., U.K., Asia and offshore court litigation as well as international arbitration.

Wu joins Paul Hastings in Hong Kong where he was also based with Kobre & Kim before moving to Shanghai; he will travel between Paul Hastings' Beijing and Shanghai office.

"[Wu's] strong reputation and global experiences will be a boom to our clients, who are increasingly dealing with cross-border litigation and investigation issues in several of our key markets," said firm chairman Seth Zachary, adding that investing in the investigations and white-collar defense practice globally continues to be a focus for the firm.

Last year, former Shanghai-based litigation partner Haiyan Tang left to be the chief legal and compliance officer of private equity firm CBC Group.

Kobre & Kim founding partner Michael Kim said: "We wish Shaun and his family well in their move back to Hong Kong, and Shaun continued success in the next stage of his career."*

In Shanghai, Kobre & Kim has three lawyers and two analysts. Wade Weems, a specialist of cross-border criminal cases and export control and sanctions law, is the only partner in the office.

*Updated 1/14: This story has been updated with a comment regarding Wu's departure from Kobre & Kim founding partner Michael Kim. 

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