Sino-Australian firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has hired a new securities partner in Hong Kong to reinforce its China-related corporate and securities team.
Gary Lock joins the firm from Herbert Smith Freehills where he advised international and Chinese corporates and banks.
Speaking with IFLR1000, Lock said: "All my years were spent in a city firm environment ever since I started in Hong Kong over 20 years ago, but the market has changed a lot in the last 5-8 years with the arrival of many new firms. This has made it a very competitive market and at a city firm, I’m just one of many competing for the same work. But KWM has turned the market with its huge network in China and unique offering, enabling it to take advantage of operating as an international firm in Hong Kong where 80% of business is China-related. So I offer KWM’s unique setup my international training and experience of living and working in China for 14 years."
Lock has particular expertise in China-related work, advising in a range of practice areas such as M&A, capital markets, corporate financing and restructuring.
Following the departure of senior partners Larry Kwok and Conrad Chan in June last year, KWM has been on a recruitment drive. Lock’s arrival marks its 16th global lateral hire so far in 2015. Recently the firm hired securities specialist Hao Zhou – who is also experienced in cross-border China-related advice - from Linklaters and also hired JPMorgan’s Asia-Pacific vice chairman, Shao Zili.