Dechert LLP announced today the further expansion of its Hong Kong office with the additions of…
Michael M. Hickman, Liang Tsui, and David C. Chu.
Hickman and Tsui, both former partners with Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, have joined the firm as corporate and securities partners. Chu, a former partner at Heller Ehrman LLP, joined as a partner in the white collar and securities litigation group.
“We are excited that these three excellent attorneys are joining us in Hong Kong. With a focus on China-related transactions, such as M&A and foreign direct investments, Michael Hickman and Liang Tsui have practices that are very synergistic with our ever-expanding China practice,” said Dechert Chairman Barton J. Winokur. ”David Chu’s presence will significantly enhance our capability to assist our multinational clients with investigations relating to activities in Asia and cross-border litigation and also will boost our ability to advise existing clients in the region on litigation in the U.S. and Hong Kong.”
With more than 20 years of experience in China, Hickman represents major multinationals and financial institutions on a wide range of China-related transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, direct investments, restructuring, and capital markets transactions. Leveraging his bilingual and bicultural skills, he has advised on transactions, such as a two-stage $750 million acquisition of a China-based beverage company, the largest foreign acquisition conducted by public bidding in China to date, and the $700 million Hong Kong and New York listing of a Chinese airline company. He also counsels on cross-border compliance and regulatory matters. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and his law degree from the University of Washington School of Law, and is licensed to practice in New York.
“I am excited about joining Dechert’s Great China practice,” said Hickman. “The firm’s impressive platform is an excellent match for continuing to develop my China practice and my existing clients will benefit from Dechert’s already-established international network and footprint.”
Tsui advises private equity firms, investment banks, and major multinationals on public and private mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and foreign direct investment transactions. Based in China for more than 12 years, he advises clients on competition law, executive compensation, environmental law, compliance, and corporate governance and other aspects of China-related transactions. He has also advised companies on major corporate restructuring, investment, and joint venture projects. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Shanghainese, Tsui has an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and a law degree from Brigham Young’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, and is a member of the Utah Bar.
Chu has significant experience with internal and government investigations, including in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Area, other regulatory matters (particularly those concerning compliance issues in both Asia and the U.S.), securities-related and shareholders’ disputes, and cases of director fraud and liability. He also has handled a number of leading cases in Hong Kong involving director misfeasance and fraud and has advised auditors from leading accounting firms and Asia-based issuers on compliance issues under Hong Kong law arising from SEC enforcement actions and related investigations. In addition, he has worked on a broad range of disputes arising from failed securities transactions. A graduate of the University of Albert and Dalhousie Law School, Chu is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin and is licensed to practice law in British Columbia (Canada) and Hong Kong.
The press release also states:
With the addition of Hickman, Tsui, and Chu, Dechert’s Greater China practice now has 18 legal professionals (including seven partners) based in Hong Kong and Beijing. Dechert’s Greater China professionals specialize in financial services, M&A, corporate and securities transactions, and white collar and securities litigation and have years of familiarity and experience with regional laws and practices.
Dechert Hong Kong Office
