Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has launched a China transactional practice with the hire of partner Daniel Leung and associate Ren Furong, and the relocation of partner Stephen Marais and senior associate Gordon Inkson.
Daniel and Furong join the firm on 4 March from Squire Patton Boggs, while Stephen and Gordon are relocating to Shanghai from HFW’s offices in London and Singapore, respectively. Daniel will initially be based in HFW’s Hong Kong office before moving to Shanghai.
HFW has now added eight new transactional partners globally since January 2018, with hires in London, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
Nick Poynder, Shanghai Office Head, HFW:
“I am very pleased to welcome Daniel and Furong to the firm and to have Stephen and Gordon join us in Shanghai. This is a significant development for our practice in Shanghai – we now have first-rate corporate and transactional expertise to complement our market-leading offering in all areas of shipping and dispute resolution. It also demonstrates our continued and long-standing commitment to the Chinese market – we’ve been in Shanghai for two decades and have ambitious plans for the future.”
HFW has been in Shanghai for 20 years and enhanced its offering in 2016 by becoming only the second international law firm to secure a local association under the Shanghai FTZ rules, with Chinese firm Wintell & Co.
HFW is relocating to larger premises in Shanghai in March to accommodate the firm’s continued growth in China.
Brian Gordon, Global Head of Corporate, HFW:
“China has been a priority market for our global corporate practice for some time, but we wanted to make sure we had the right team before making a move. Daniel, Stephen and Gordon are outstanding lawyers with considerable experience of the Chinese market, which is essential. Adding PRC capability to our existing teams in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia gives us a strong platform to provide expert transactional advice to clients across the region.”
Daniel specialises in cross-border transactions, including supporting clients’ global supply chain business activities, M&A, inbound and outbound Chinese investments, corporate restructuring, and investment funds work. He acts for Chinese and multinational corporations, private equity and other fund sponsors, institutional investors and high-net-worth clients across Asia-Pacific, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. Daniel has significant experience across a range of sectors, including high technology and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods manufacturing and processing.
Furong advises clients on PRC land and real estate related legal issues, capital markets, M&A, inbound and outbound investment and other general corporate matters. Her practice spans a wide range of industries, including real estate, energy, automotive, manufacturing, private equity, logistics, life sciences and shipbuilding.
Stephen’s practice focuses on banking and asset finance. He has extensive experience of ship finance, commodity and trade finance, aviation finance and structured transactions, in particular sale and leaseback transactions, orphan trust arrangements, Islamic finance and export credit supported transactions.
Gordon advises clients on M&A, joint ventures and foreign investment projects, with a particular focus on the energy and mining sectors. He also acts for international banks and has experience advising shipowners and operators in relation to ship sale and purchase transactions and related ship finance.
Daniel Leung, Partner, HFW:
“I am really excited to be joining a fast-growing firm with a longstanding presence in Hong Kong, a high-quality China practice and an extensive global network. I look forward to helping HFW continue to build its presence in Hong Kong, China and across Asia-Pacific.”
Daniel and Furong’s arrival continues a period of sustained international expansion for HFW.
The firm has now added 25 new partners in the current fiscal year, including nine internal promotions and 16 lateral hires across Abu Dhabi, Brussels, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney and Riyadh.
HFW has also launched in eight new markets since 2016, most recently entering into a cooperation arrangement in Brazil and opening a new office in Abu Dhabi.
The firm now has more than 200 lawyers in seven offices across Asia-Pacific.
