Allen & Overy has relocated London partner Gary McLean to Hong Kong and has named him head of the firm’s Asia-Pacific corporate practice. The move underscores the firm’s expanded corporate presence across Asia, which includes their recent office openings in Jakarta and Australia. Mr. McLean, who has been with A&O since 1988 and a partner since 1996. He had previously worked at the firm’ Hong Kong office and focuses his practice on M&A, asset financing, outsourcing transactions, joint ventures and corporate recovery work. More recently, Mr. McLean served as US counsel to the international underwriters for the Agricultural Bank of China, the work’s largest IPO.

Sheppard Mullin has added Jenny Liu, previously with DLA Piper’s Beijing office, as Special Counsel at their Shanghai office.

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Shearman & Sterling has further strengthened its capabilities in Greater China by adding Shuang Zhao as a partner to its Hong Kong office. Zhao, a New York-qualified specialist on securities offering and mergers & acquisitions transactions, comes to the firm as a lateral hire from Simpson & Thacher’s Hong Kong office. With substantial experience representing Chinese issuers and investment banks in NYSE and NASDAQ IPOs, Hong Kong IPOs, and Rule 144A and Regulation S offerings of equity, debt and convertible securities, Zhao has also advised clients in the renewable energy, education, retail and healthcare sectors. Zhao will join the firm’s Greater China corporate team, which is involved in cross-border joint ventures and foreign direct investments in U.S. and European corporations. Most recently, the firm represented Qatar Holding in its U.S.$2.8bn cornerstone investment in the Agricultural Bank of China, a component of what was the world’s largest-ever IPO. 

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Mid-Level Corporate Associate - Hong Kong

The Hong Kong office of this elite firm is seeking a mid-level associate with at least two years of practical post-qualification experience handling public offerings and general corporate matters. Ideal candidates possess Hong Kong qualifications and fluent Mandarin language skills. Candidates with U.S. JDs, or especially strong P.R.C.-qualified attorneys, will also be considered if they have a strong understanding of the Hong Kong Market.

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Baker & McKenzie has hired Paul Elliott as the firm’s Asia Pacific Head of Project Finance. Elliot has extensive expertise advising clients on project, structured and cross-border financings, along with debt restructuring, in the power, oil, gas & petrochemicals, telecoms, transportation and water industries. Having practiced in England, Hong Kong, Thailand and New Zealand over a thirty year career, Elliot most recently lead the firm’s Finance and Projects practice group in Singapore. The assignment Elliot is set to begin on September 1, 2010 was created in response to increasing demands for integrated advice from clients involved in significant regional infrastructure projects.

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After receiving approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) launched its Initial Public Offering (IPO), making it the last of China’s “big four” state-owned commercial banks to go public. Having been advised by leading firms like Deheng and King & Wood, ABC, with more retail customers than the population of America, appears poised to achieve the title of the world’s biggest initial public offering, having already raised $19.2 billion through its listing.

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China Practice Partner - Los Angeles

This top US firm is looking for a China-related partner with corporate, dispute resolution and/or IP experience for it Los Angeles office. This firm has a strong Shanghai and LA based China practice. With a focus on both China and Japan, the firm is looking for a partner to act as a go-between the US and China practices. Top preference goes to bi-cultural partners and the firm is well-reputed as one of the top law firms for female partners. They focus on M&A, inbound and outbound investment, capital markets, arbitration and IP (preferably hard IP, but open to soft). The firm has no debt and offers a strong platform to build on, with a low cost base and a strong desire to diversify their existing platform. This is a great alternative to the Wall Street law firm experience.  Read More…

Senior International Capital Markets Attorney - Hong Kong/Beijing

The Hong Kong office of this leading law firm is seeking a senior associate for their International Capital Markets Group. Candidates must have at least five years of post-qualification experience, as well as experience in U.S. S.E.C.-registered equity and debt offerings, and Rule 144A offerings, including Hong Kong listings works. They must also have substantial experience advising and assisting on Exchange Act reports and general U.S. securities regulations. Fluency in Mandarin is required, along with strong communication and leadership skills.

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Following the last two years of salary freezes and lowered bonus structures, ex-pat packages in China and Japan have become a hot topic among U.S. and U.K. attorneys looking to relocate from the U.S. and U.K. to Asia. The top firms have weathered the economic crisis just fine according to data gathered by ALB Legal News, and most firms continue to offer competitive packages in Asia in order to attract and retain top legal talent. This is especially true of firms that, as newcomers to a given market, are anxious to increase their ranks.

Firms remain committed to the region, investing resources into their foreign offices, hiring or promoting partners, and offering competitive remuneration packages to their strongest attorneys, especially bilingual ones. While ex-pat packages have for the most part remained stable at top firms, especially in more mature legal markets like Tokyo and Hong Kong, we have seen more variance than ever over the past year. Increasingly there is a willingness to negotiate and make offers on a case-by-case basis.

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Corporate Associates – China: Beijing

This top international firm is seeking corporate associates for its Beijing office. Candidates must be dedicated workers with an ability to provide clients with excellent service. Must have outstanding academic credentials, work experience at a reputable firm, and excellent legal writing and analytical skills. Should have U.S., P.R.C., Hong Kong and/or U.K. qualifications. Ideal candidates will be P.R.C. nationals who are leaving U.S. after gaining experience with the U.S. market.

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Mid-Level Real Estate Associate – Russia: Moscow

This global firm seeks an experienced mid-level real estate associate for their Moscow office. Candidates should have at least four to six years of post-graduate practical experience in real estate matters at a reputable firm.

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Senior US/UK-Qualified Japanese-Speaking Leveraged Finance – Japan: Tokyo

The Tokyo office is interested in a native-level Japanese speaker with a US/UK qualification and four to six years of post-qualification experience in private equity and leveraged finance. Candidates must have experience with leveraged M&A transactions and the ability to independently draft, review, and comment on Japanese documentation. The firm will also consider a senior associate who is fully fluent and experienced enough to jump right into practicing.

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Junior Partner Opportunities - China: Beijing, Hong Kong

This global law firm is looking for M&A, inbound or outbound investment, dispute resolution and/or IP partners to join to their growing China practice in Beijing and Hong Kong.  The firm will also consider elevating a counsel or senior associate to partner as well as a more senior partner with a book of business of at least 1.5m to lead the China practice.  The firm is committed to the growth of their China practice and will match or exceed current compensation levels. Ideal candidates will have a book of business of 1.5 million, though the firm will consider other partners, counsel or senior associates.  Must have top academics and major law firm experience.  Candidates must be U.S. Qualified.  Chinese language skills are a plus, but are not required.

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Oil & Gas/Corporate Mining Senior Associates - Indonesia: Jakarta

he Jakarta office is seeking experienced oil & gas or corporate senior associates with Indonesian qualifications, experience and language skills. Candidates should have four to six years experience in upstream oil and gas or corporate mining in Indonesia. Must have Indonesian qualifications, experience and language skills. Read more..

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Managing Partner Opportunity - Beijing or Hong Kong

Position: This global law firm is looking for a M&A partner to head their existing China practice. Prefer candidates with on the ground experience, a significant book of business and outstanding reputation in the market. The firm is committed to the growth of their China practice and will match or exceed current compensation levels.  Read more…

Mid-level Securities (litigation/dispute resolution) Associate - Tokyo

Position: This global law firm is looking for a mid-level securities (litigation/dispute resolution) associate for their Tokyo office.  Read more…

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