Walkers, the global offshore law firm of choice for investment banks, international law firms, collateral managers, and other financial institutions, has added four new members to its Asian market team to service the increase in work that the firm has seen from the region.
Everton Robertson has joined the firm's Hong Kong office as a partner with experience in private equity, IPOs, capital markets, and acquisition finance matters. New Corporate Associates Jennifer Lee and Michael Padarin and Corporate Administration team member Cecilia Cheung also bring extensive expertise to the Hong Kong office. Together, these four professionals represent almost 40 years of legal and financial experience.
"Our continuing expansion in Asia is recognition of the importance of this region to Walkers' business in the global capital markets -- and is a perfect match for Walkers' ability to serve its clients around the clock from anywhere in the world," said Hugh O'Loughlin, managing partner of Walkers' Hong Kong office.
The Asian region contains high-growth economies with current forecasted growth at 8%-10% per annum compared to some mature markets, such as the US and Western Europe, where current forecasts are around 1%-2% per annum growth at best. Many onshore law firms, private equity firms, and other financial institutions have opened offices in the region over the past year.
Everton Robertson joins Walkers after almost eight years at Maples and Calder, where he focused on leveraged buyouts, pre-IPO financing, private equity and capital markets. Mr. Robertson has acted for major international financial institutions and prominent private equity firms in Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China (PRC), Japan, and Singapore. His prior legal experience also includes work at Shearman & Sterling, White & Case, and Linklaters. Mr. Robertson is admitted in both Cayman and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and is a graduate of University College London.
"After watching Walkers expand its footprint in Asia, having seen the quality of Walkers' attorneys up close, and hearing from clients about the firm's strengths, I was eager to join the team," Mr. Robertson said. "My understanding of the Asian market coupled with my strong knowledge of Cayman and BVI law will assist Walkers in consolidating its presence in the region."
Jennifer Lee has a deep background in structured finance, derivatives, and debt capital markets transactions, including work in India and Hong Kong. Formerly a Senior Solicitor at Clifford Chance, she is also fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, further enhancing the level of service for Walker's Asian clients.
Michael Padarin comes to Walkers from Minter Ellison Sydney where he advised on structuring and establishing unit trust products, including hedge funds, listed property trusts, and real estate investment trusts (REITS). In addition, he advised clients on matters associated with raising capital, financial services licensing, and legislation compliance. Michael is also conversant in Japanese and Thai, which will also aid client service and development in the region.
"Across Asia, the demand for legal expertise in the financial marketplace continues to grow," Mr. O'Loughlin continued, "Through this expansion, Walkers continues its strategy of 'smart growth in our key markets around the world."
The addition of Cecilia Cheung adds depth to Walkers' corporate administration team for Asia. Ms. Cheung comes to Walkers from JPMorgan and also worked for a number of years with the Bank of Bermuda (now HSBC). Conversant in Japanese, she will provide additional support to Walkers' Asian clients following the closure of Walkers' marketing office previously located in Japan. Tokyo clients will continue to be supported by the attorneys in the Cayman and Hong Kong offices as well as the SPV team in Cayman, with the marketing needs serviced primarily out of Hong Kong.
Walkers has added 10 staff members to its Hong Kong office over the past 12 months. To manage this growth, on 22 September 2008 Walkers' Hong Kong office is relocating to new premises, occupying the entire 10,000 square feet on the 15th Floor of Alexandra House, Central, almost doubling the size of its former office at Chater House. The new location will allow Walkers to continue expansions to better serve the clients in the region.