Simmons & Simmons has hired a new partner from Clifford Chance.

James Pedley, who specializes in securitization and asset-backed finance in Hong Kong, joins from Clifford Chance where he was a foreign legal consultant. Pedley, who's qualified in England and Wales, has advised banks, asset managers and companies on complex securitization transactions across a variety of asset classes including residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and auto loans. He also advises on the regulatory aspects of structured debt and securitization transactions.

Pedley joined Clifford Chance in London in 2007 and moved to Hong Kong in 2017.

"There is so much activity and opportunity in the securitization and asset-backed finance markets right now," Pedley said in a statement. "Some of the key drivers for this include factors such as contracting bank and asset manager balance sheets, attractive capital markets funding and investors hunting for yield in volatile markets," he said.

In Hong Kong and neighboring areas, there are efforts to promote Asia's financial capital to be a regional securitization hub as well. Governments and regulators in the region are aiming to establish Hong Kong as a center for securitization financing for infrastructure projects and small- and medium-size companies.

Last year, Simmons & Simmons launched a new office in Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong from the mainland Chinese side.

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