DLA Piper has hired equity capital markets partner Sherlyn Lau from Sidley Austin in Hong Kong to strengthen its ECM coverage in Asia.
Lau joins as head of capital markets and corporate finance for APAC, bringing with her a team of 12 capital markets practitioners. Lau’s expertise spans IPOs, M&A, secondary equity fundraising, listing rules compliance and pre-IPO private placements, with her arrival boosting DLA Piper’s presence in the Hong Kong and Mainland China capital markets.
Over the past two decades, she has advised on deals across sectors including life sciences and biotech, emerging tech and mining and resources, with a client base that includes Chinese and international investment banks and Hong Kong-based corporates.
Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry, managing director for Asia Pacific, said: “Sherlyn’s arrival is a real game changer for our corporate practice in Asia. Her impressive track record coupled with her exceptional expertise in the Hong Kong and Mainland China markets significantly enhance our ECM and broader corporate capabilities in the region. This is a major step forward in positioning DLA Piper as a leading global firm in the region’s most influential financial centres.”
Lau joins after almost two decades at Sidley Austin, where for the past five years she has been deputy head of China corporate and finance practice in Hong Kong. She has also been a member of Sidley’s executive committee since 2022.
Jon Kenworthy, global co-chair of DLA Piper’s corporate group, said: “The appointment of Sherlyn and her team is significant for the firm and underscores our strategy to further strengthen our capabilities in key financial centres across Asia. Following the addition of several partners in strategic locations, DLA Piper is focusing its investment on expanding our regional footprint and enhancing our ability to support clients on their complex, cross-border opportunities.”
Lau’s arrival is the latest addition to DLA Piper’s Asia corporate practice following the hire of funds partners Koji Yamamoto and Yoshiyuki Omori from Withers in Tokyo last June.
Lau said: “DLA Piper’s global platform is one which many firms aspire to have. Its strong presence across Asia means it is well placed to support businesses from across the region achieve their capital markets-related objectives. I am excited to join the firm at a time when Hong Kong is experiencing renewed momentum in the capital markets, and I look forward to contributing to our continued growth together with my team.”
Other international firms strengthening in Hong Kong recently include Dentons, which in December revived its association with Dacheng to open a Hong Kong office having previously severed ties in 2023 amid concerns over Chinese regulations.
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