Global, sector-focused law firm 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. 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 significant 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:
“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. Our continued investment also demonstrates our confidence in, and long-standing commitment to, the Greater Chinese market – we’ve had an office here for more than four decades and have ambitious plans for the future.”
Matthew specialises in corporate finance and capital markets, including initial public offerings and secondaries, M&A and joint ventures, foreign direct investment, corporate restructurings, private equity, venture capital, and funds work. He also acts on Hong Kong company law and securities regulatory compliance issues.
King has a broad practice spanning corporate and commercial, litigation, and real estate matters.
Roger acts on M&A and other corporate and commercial matters, including company secretarial matters, financings, and issues relating to the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.
Carmen’s practice focuses on corporate finance, initial public offerings, compliance and regulatory issues, and M&A and other investment work. She acts for sponsors, underwriters, and listed and private companies.
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
“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.”
HFW also recently brought in a market-leading team to launch in Monaco – one of 11 international office openings, mergers and associations since 2016, including a fully-integrated US merger and other moves in Brazil, China, Indonesia and the Middle East.
