Morrison & Foerster today announced that Marcia Ellis, a highly accomplished M&A and private equity lawyer, has rejoined the firm as a corporate partner in its Hong Kong office. She advises clients on debt financing, private equity transactions and complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
Ms. Ellis left the firm in 2008 to become the chief legal officer for Asia at the D. E. Shaw group, where she assisted various entities in making, restructuring and exiting investments in Asia, particularly China and India. She also has extensive experience representing global funds in the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets, investment in real estate developers and establishment of real estate joint ventures.
“We are delighted to welcome Marcia back. Her experience aligns perfectly with the needs of our clients in China,” said Ven Tan, managing partner of Morrison & Foerster’s Hong Kong office. “She knows the private equity world very well. Her experience in both inbound and outbound China deals, in particular leveraged investments and buyouts, coupled with her Chinese language skills, make her a rare talent. Together with our HK-based partners Thomas Chou and recently-joined Jeremy Hunt, we now have a deep bench of private equity and M&A partners who are able to execute complex transactional deals across Asia.”
“Given our clients’ focus on expanding their capabilities throughout Asia, Marcia is an important addition to our continued success in the region,” added Eric Piesner firmwide managing partner for Asia. “Expanding and strengthening our M&A and private equity practices in Asia is a top priority for us.”
Fluent in both written and spoken Chinese, Marcia has practiced in Asia since 1996. Some of her recent notable transactions are:
- Represented an Asian private equity fund in financing the buyout of a railway equipment manufacturing company with operations in China.
- Represented a global real estate fund in establishing an offshore joint venture with a Hong Kong-listed, Chinese State-owned real estate developer for the purpose of developing a mixed-use project in China.
- Represented the lead investor in connection with the US$3.4 billion consolidation of Jiangsu Zhongneng and HKSE-listed GCL-Poly Energy. This transaction was named the Asian Legal Business China 2009 M&A Deal of the Year.
- Represented the lead investor in Glorious Properties in relation to the pre-IPO restructuring of Glorious Properties and its subsequent US$1.28 billion Hong Kong IPO. This transaction was named the Asian Legal Business China 2009 Real Estate Deal of the Year.
“I’m very excited to return to MoFo. The firm’s commitment to Asia is impressive, and my capabilities and experience are a good fit for clients,” said Ms. Ellis. “MoFo’s entrepreneurial culture and collaborative approach are compelling. I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the firm’s continued success.”
Ms. Ellis earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School and her undergraduate degree from Princeton University. She clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Kimba Wood in the Southern District of New York, and is admitted to practice in New York and Hong Kong.
Ms. Ellis is ranked as a leading individual for Private Equity in Hong Kong in Asia Pacific Legal 500 2013, as a leading lawyer for Private Equity in Hong Kong in the 2013 edition of IFLR1000 and as a leading lawyer for Private Equity: Buyouts in China in the 2013 edition of Chambers Asia Pacific.
