London-listed firm Ince has hired a commercial litigation partner in Hong Kong as the firm continues its expansion in the Greater China region.

Zhao Rong Ooi joins from Hong Kong firm Hauzen where he was a partner. Ooi advises Chinese companies on cross-border commercial disputes; his practice covers shipping and maritime, insurance, technology and financial services sectors.

He joined Hauzen, a firm launched by former Dechert partner Basil Hwang and an associate firm of China's AnJie Law Firm, in early 2019. Before that, he had various stints at Maples and Calder, DLA Piper, Watson Farley & Williams, HFW and Clyde & Co.

Ooi is part of an wider effort to expand Ince's China offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. Last year, the Hong Kong office added a 10-member team that covers both transactions and disputes. With Ooi's addition, the office now has 10 partners. Paul Ho, Ince's Shanghai-based Greater China head, said in a press release the region's revenue grew 85% last year.

In January, Ince Group announced a new share placement that could raise $15.5 million (£12 million). Following the announcement, Ince share price plunged by nearly 48%; the firm's share value has dropped over 60% since the beginning of the year.

Legacy firm Ince & Co's business was taken over by listed firm Gordon Dadds in early 2019. In Hong Kong, where both Ince and Gordon Dadds had offices, the efforts to merge the two operations weren't successful; legacy Gordon Dadds' brief Hong Kong office and association broke away from the firm last year. The firm inherited its Greater China practice entirely from Ince & Co.

|

Related Stories:

Ince Gordon Dadds in Growth Mode in Greater China