Asian Legal Business reports that capital markets and M&A partner Julian Chung joins Ropes from London-based firm Norton Rose, while China corporate specialist Gary Li joins the firm from New York’s Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison.
The report suggests that Ropes is weighing up the possibility of launching a practice very soon, as it is expected to receive its formal licence to practise Hong Kong law on 28 May – the day on which both new partners are scheduled to clock in for the first time.
Mr Chung has practised in Hong Kong for 26 years, and is expected to be crucial to the launch of the new practice. According to ALB, 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.