HFW has continued to expand its fast-growing transactional offering in Greater China with the hire of a nine-lawyer corporate finance team, including partner Matthew Wong. The team, which also includes of counsels King Hui and Roger Wong and senior associate Carmen Liang, specialise in capital markets, including initial public offerings, as well as M&A, private equity and other transactional work.

Locke Lord move

They join HFW's Hong Kong office from US law firm Locke Lord. The move reunites the team with senior corporate finance partner Wing Cheung, who joined HFW from Locke Lord earlier this month. The hires continue HFW's expansion of its global corporate and finance practices. HFW launched a transactional practice in China earlier this year and has now added 20 transactional partners across its international network since 2018, including lateral hires in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Monaco, Paris and Singapore. Patrick Yeung, Hong Kong office head, HFW, said “This major hire and Wing's earlier arrival represents a step-change to our transactional capabilities in Greater China. Combined with our existing team in Hong Kong, we now have a formidable practice that is able to assist clients on the largest and most complex transactional matters, from M&A to capital markets and beyond.”

Significant group hire

Mr Wong specialises in corporate finance and capital markets, while Mr Hui has a broad practice spanning corporate and commercial matters, and Ms Liang focuses on corporate finance and other investment work. HFW has operated in Greater China for more than 40 years, having been one of the first international law firms to open an office in the country, in 1978. The firm now has 85 lawyers in Greater China, including 22 partners, and is a market leader in aviation, commodities, construction, energy, insurance, shipping, commercial litigation and corporate. Richard Crump, global senior partner, HFW, said “This significant group hire is another important step in the continued growth of our global corporate and finance offerings, which is a strategic priority for the firm. Our transactional capabilities have changed beyond all recognition in recent years, and we are actively seeking additional opportunities in key markets around the world.”