Ashurst secures Hong Kong JV ahead of local launch

The firm has entered the agreement with Jackson Woo & Associates, led by corporate partner Jackson Woo. Along with Woo, the firm's other partner, Sabrina Fung, will also join the City firm as a partner. The pair will bring on three or four associates.

The tie-up means Ashurst can advise on local law alongside its international law practice. Under local regulation, the association will be able operate as an integrated firm under the Ashurst banner after around three years.

With the tie-up, Ashurst has also non-exclusively allied with Woo's referral partner, Chinese law firm Guantao Law firm, a practice with eight offices, including in Beijing and Shanghai.

Ashurst veteran Geoffrey Green is set to head the Hong Kong office when it launches formally in February, a month after corporate partner Charlie Geffen is to take over Green's role as senior partner.

Green (pictured) commented: "We need to practise local law for two main reasons, one of which is that we practise local law wherever we are in the world. Also, all major firms in Hong Kong practise local law as it is a jurisdiction of major importance in the region."

The Hong Kong office will be Ashurst's first in China, acting alongside its current Asian branches in Japan and Singapore. Aside from Green, the Hong Kong outfit will be initially manned by corporate partner Robert Ogilvy-Watson.

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