Hogan Lovells takes team from Dechert Hong Kong

Two partners and three associates will join this month as the global law firm boosts its capabilities in funds, complex disputes and cross-border investigations, including for mainland China.

October 03, 2024

Global law firm Hogan Lovells is adding two partners and three associates in Hong Kong this month from Dechert.

The move will help the Admiralty-based firm’s capabilities in funds, complex disputes, and cross-border investigations, within the Asia Pacific (Apac) region, according to a media release. 

Michael Wong joined the Hogan Lovells corporate and finance practice on October 1, as a partner in the firm’s private funds practice area, accompanied by two associates. He had been at Dechert since January 2017, most recently as partner, according to his LinkedIn profile. 

Wong has expertise in alternative investment funds, with a focus on the formation and structuring of private equity, private credit and hedge funds. He also advises on secondaries, co-investment arrangements, and carried interest schemes and has experience advising on financial services regulatory matters, the release said. 

James Doyle, Hogan Lovells’ head of the corporate & finance practice, commented in the release: “Michael and his team will collaborate closely with our global network to deepen client relationships, grow our transactional and regulatory capabilities in this area, and expand our presence in these key markets.”

Commenting on his decision to join Hogan Lovells, Wong said: “I’m excited to join Hogan Lovells due to the firm’s substantial presence and deep roots in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong and mainland China.”

Additionally, Maria Sit, former managing partner of Dechert’s Hong Kong office, will join later in October as a partner in the firm’s litigation, arbitration, and employment practice, bringing one associate with her. Sit’s practice focuses on regulatory enforcement and dispute resolution in mainland China, and her experience includes serving as in-house counsel at the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong.

Sit has been at Dechert since February 2019, according to her LinkedIn profile, most recently as partner. 

Des Hogan, head of disputes at Hogan Lovells said: “Maria brings over two decades of commercial litigation experience, significantly strengthening our ability to serve large conglomerates in the region. Her addition not only enhances our disputes practice but also our wider capabilities in the region.”

Sit said: “The opportunity to work across jurisdictions and service clients both inside and outside of Hong Kong and mainland China was a key factor in my decision.”

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