Ropes & Gray has hired two new partners to its Hong Kong office, and is expected to add a Hong Kong law practice in less than two weeks. Capital markets and M&A partner Julian Chung joins Ropes from Norton Rose, while China corporate specialist Gary Li joins the firm from Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison.
Ropes will acquire its formal licence to practice Hong Kong law on May 28, the day when both new partners are scheduled to start work at the firm.
Chung, who has practised in Hong Kong for 26 years, will help launch the Hong Kong practice. He has represented state-owned enterprises and private companies in China on their initial public offerings and secondary offerings, and worked with international companies listing in Hong Kong. Recently, he advised Brazilian mining company Vale S.A. on its first Hong Kong Depository Receipt listing.
“I am excited about joining the extraordinary attorneys of Ropes & Gray, and working together to build the new capabilities of the Hong Kong law practice to complement the firm’s vast experience with cross-border and international work across Asia and around the world,” he said about his move.
While a counsel at Paul Weiss, Li has advised high-profile clients such as the Carlyle Group, KKR and Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia in a range of their investment, M&A and financing transactions. He said he is “looking forward to working alongside the firm’s exceptional team of lawyers in Asia, the U.K. and the United States.”
Commenting on the new additions, Hong Kong partner Marcia Ellis said in a statement: "The combination of the firm's core strength in its private equity practice worldwide and Julian's and Gary’s extensive experience in Hong Kong M&A and capital markets transactions will give the firm a unique platform to take advantage of exciting new opportunities as private equity clients continue to show an increasing interest in deals involving public companies in this region.” ALB
Candice Mak is North Asia Editor at ALB. Follow her on Twitter: @ALB_Magazine.
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