Lance Jiang, previously co-Head of Legal of Great Wall AMC International Holdings Co. Ltd., a well-known financial institution headquartered in China, is joining Addleshaw Goddard's Hong Kong Corporate practice to help the team resource a growing pipeline of work and target new market share.
Lance will become a Partner upon completion of the relevant Hong Kong Law Society qualifications in Spring 2019.
Born and educated in Shanghai, Lance is qualified in the PRC, as well as in New York State. In addition to his track record in corporate finance, Lance brings specialist expertise in debt and debt capital markets as well as Special Situations transactions such as restructurings and NPLs.
Addleshaw Goddard's Asia practice has grown from one partner and paralegal in Singapore in 2012, to a total current complement of five (soon to be six) partners, and c.35 other fee earners.
The firm has set an ambitious growth strategy for its Asia business and, by the end of FY2021, is planning for its Asian operations to be a double-digit partner business. Lance is the first partner level appointment since Bob Charlton's arrival and is consistent with the firm's commitment to growing its Hong Kong / China practice and developing opportunities for both inbound and outbound Mainland China work, specifically PRC corporates investing in the UK.
This hire follows the appointment of two Legal Directors – Janie Wong and Eric Chan – into the firm's Hong Kong Disputes practice earlier this year, as part of the plan to increase partner and associate headcount in order to deliver planned growth across the region.
Bob Charlton, Head of AG's Asia region, said:
"We are delighted that Lance has joined the team where his market connections and complementary skillset will fit neatly alongside the specialist expertise and valuable work led by Andrew Yang and Daniel Wan, who have performed with distinction since joining the business, building the strong transactional reputation we enjoy today.
"With activity across the region remaining strong, Lance's appointment means we are even better placed to capitalise on opportunities, penetrate new markets, and unlock new work."
Addleshaw Goddard's Asia corporate practice has significant experience handling all forms of corporate, corporate finance and commercial transactions throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The team is ranked in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018, and specialises in M&A transactions, joint ventures, foreign direct investment, corporate finance, commercial transactions, capital markets and private equity.