Long-serving CC litigation partner quits to join Mallesons in Hong Kong

Clifford Chance (CC) litigation partner Denis Brock is leaving the firm after almost 25 years to join Australian leader Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Hong Kong.

The new role will mark Brock's third spell in Hong Kong after he spent five years in the region with CC from 1987 and 1992, before taking on the leadership of the magic circle firm's local practice from 1997 to 2006.

He returned to London in 2006 and last year lost out to Jeremy Sandelson in a contested election for the role of global head of litigation.

Brock has been at CC since 1986 and made partner in 1995. CC's litigation and dispute resolution practice in Hong Kong is now led by Martin Rogers.

Brock will become the fourth partner in Mallesons' Hong Kong litigation practice when he joins the firm in October.

He said: "Mallesons has had increased client demand in Asia recently and is looking to extend its corporate, commercial and litigation practices in line with this.

"This will be my third term in Asia and with my history and experience I'm looking to contribute to the expertise that they need there and help them grow the practice."

Mallesons' head of Hong Kong David Bateson, said: "We have a range of banking and corporate clients for whom commercial litigation and regulatory expertise is an important expectation from their law firm. Denis' appointment enables us to more fully support that expectation."

The news follows the last week's departure of high-profile CC partner Jason Glover to launch a funds practice in the City for US firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

• Click here for information on the Legal Week Commercial Litigation Forum 2010