King & Wood Mallesons has hired former Herbert Smith M&A partner Simon Meng to reinforce its China-related M&A practice in Shanghai.

This appointment follows a series of recent high-profile recruitments by KWM, including Dirk Walker from Dewey & Leboeuf and Dina Yin from Linklaters in Beijing.

Qualified in both New York and Paris, Meng specialises in M&A, direct investments, and joint ventures in China. He has over 20 years of experience working in Paris, New York, and Hong Kong. Prior to joining Herbert Smith in 2000, he worked at Sidley Austin.

“Joining King & Wood Mallesons is a great opportunity, and to be part of a new venture like this is an exciting proposition for me and my clients. The firm has a clear strategy, and one that resonates with me and with multinationals expanding in this region,” said Meng in a statement. “The firm is definitely shaping the future competitive landscape.”

“This is another coup for the firm,” said Rupert Li, KMW’s’ international managing partner. “He (Meng) is an outstanding lawyer, and an enormous addition to our team. His vast experience is a great asset to our Shanghai office, and to the expansion of our cross border M&A and projects’ platform.”

Liu Zhen is China senior journalist at ALB. Follow us on Twitter: @ALB_Magazine.

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