Allen & Overy announces today that it is expanding its Greater China debt capital markets practice with the appointment of Liang (Alex) Tao, a Mandarin speaking U.S. partner, in its Hong Kong office.

Alex joins from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP where he has attained a broad range of experience across debt and equity transactions (including high yield bond offerings) and developed a track record of working on some of the most complex and challenging deals out of China.

Alex graduated from Fudan University School of Law in Shanghai, China (LL.B.) and University of Chicago Law School (LL.M.). He is admitted to practise in the State of New York and Hong Kong and is also qualified in the People’s Republic of China.

At the same time, Hong Kong partner Alex Stathopoulos will be moving to Allen & Overy’s Singapore office. Alex Tao’s arrival and Alex Stathopoulos’ relocation will further reinforce the U.S. securities support offered to clients across the Asia Pacific region alongside the recent appointment of Mark Leemen as a U.S. securities partner in Australia.

Vicki Liu, Hong Kong managing partner, comments: “Alex Tao’s technical ability combined with his Mandarin language skills and extensive track record dealing with both Chinese and international clients, will be the perfect complement to an already accomplished debt capital markets team. He will also enhance our broader offering for Chinese clients given the continued importance of U.S. expertise in Greater China, and indeed the region more broadly. We are delighted to welcome Alex to A&O.”

Alex’s appointment as a partner in the Hong Kong office follows that of Charlotte Robins who joins shortly as a partner in the Hong Kong regulatory practice.