Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP Adds Two Partners in Hong Kong Office

The law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP announced via a press release on Thursday that James Wadham and Martin Rogers are joining the firm as partners in its Hong Kong office. On a constant basis, the firm has been ranked tier 1 in the United States when it comes to regulatory enforcement, its trial work, internal investigations and white collar crime investigations. The addition of these two partners will expand that reach to Hong Kong and Asia.

“The benefits to our clients who are looking for world-class advice in Asia to meet their increasingly complex and global needs are tremendously exciting,” Thomas J. Reid said in the press release. Reid is the managing partner for Davis Polk. “We are now uniquely positioned to provide counsel across an even broader platform. Capital markets, M&A, direct investment, corporate governance, risk management, internal investigations, regulatory enforcement, litigation and white collar crime defense work: we now have a complete team of lawyers able to deliver all of these services in our client-focused, collaborative way.”

Rogers is joining the law firm from Clifford Chance ‘s office in Hong Kong. While at Clifford Chance, Rogers worked as the Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution for the Asia-Pacific market. He also served as the Co-Head of Financial Services Regulation for the Asia-Pacific market. Rogers has worked for over 22 years in advising and representing clients in Asia for white collar crime cases, regulatory enforcement and disputes.

Wadham, who is licensed to practice law in Hong Kong, is joining the firm from Clifford Chance, where he spent more than 10 years in the Hong Kong office. He has experience in complex litigation, cross-border disputes, professional negligence defense work and shareholder and investment disputes.

Rogers said the following about joining the firm: “I am thrilled to be joining Davis Polk and grateful to Clifford Chance for my many rewarding years there.” “I’m thankful for the success I have enjoyed at Clifford Chance but continuing my practice at Davis Polk provides a new and exciting opportunity,” Wadham said in the press release.

“Our clients will rapidly appreciate the importance of this development in our capabilities,” Bonnie Chan said. Chan is a partner with Davis Polk’s office in Hong Kong. Chan also worked as the Senior Vice President and Head of IPO Transactions Department for the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. “Earlier this year, the leading 23 investment banks reached out to Martin and me to ask us to co-counsel them as a group in responding to the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission’s important consultation paper on Sponsor Regulation. Going forward, we will collaborate closely as partners on Davis Polk’s elite platform.”