Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton revealed its plan to launch a Hong Kong law practice with a partner recruited out of Norton Rose, a UK based law firm. Cleary, like several other US firms before it, is responding to a rapidly growing legal market in Hong Kong, driven by Hong Kong IPO’s. Freeman Chan, who is leaving Norton Rose to head up Cleary’s Hong Kong practice, is a member of The Takeovers Appeal Committee of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong.
Cleary managing partner Mark Walker explained that the plan is a vital step given the present market condition. “Adding Hong Kong law capability to our existing, successful Asia practice is a natural and important extension of our firm’s global business model, which combines strong local law and international law practices around the world.”
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