Global law firm White & Case LLP has expanded its Global Financial Restructuring and Insolvency Practice with the addition of Sophie Lyall as a partner in Hong Kong. Lyall arrives from Ashurst in Hong  Kong.

“After a prolonged period of economic growth, the global economy has now entered a period of significant structural change and we anticipate a pronounced increase in large, cross-border restructurings and insolvencies, including in Asia-Pacific,” said White & Case partner Tom Lauria, head of the Firm’s Global Financial Restructuring and Insolvency Practice. “White & Case is a recognized world leader in this space, advising clients globally on all aspects of complex restructurings, workouts and insolvencies. Adding an experienced partner like Sophie in Hong Kong, following the recent arrival of restructuring partners Timothy Sackar and Jillian McAleese in Sydney, is another important step in our ongoing commitment to supporting clients across the full spectrum of distressed situations.”

Sophie’s practice focuses on all aspects of front-end restructuring and insolvency matters across a broad range of geographies and industries, whether a resolution is sought by consensus or, where necessary, enforcement or formal proceedings. She brings more than 15 years of experience and is joining White & Case from Ashurst, where she was a partner.

“Sophie is recognized as a leading restructuring and insolvency lawyer in Asia-Pacific who has advised on a number of significant Hong Kong and China-related and global restructurings,” said Jessica Zhou, White & Case Office Executive Partner in Hong Kong. “Her significant experience, exceptional technical skills and strong relationships with insolvency practitioners, debtors, credit funds, private equity firms and banks are a great fit with our established finance, corporate and other capabilities in the region and will bring significant benefits for our clients.”

White & Case partner Eugene Man, Regional Section Head, Asia-Pacific Banking & Capital Markets, said: “Sophie’s arrival continues our momentum and ongoing growth in Asia-Pacific, where we have recently added lateral partners in key global practices in our offices across the region, as well as promoting a number of our Asia-Pacific lawyers to partner. We remain committed to the region and to ensuring we continue to grow our role advising global clients on their restructuring and other Asia-Pacific matters.”