Four years after launching in Asia, Addleshaw Goddard has formally combined with its local alliance firm and is now trading in Hong Kong as Addleshaw Goddard (Hong Kong) LLP, offering local and international clients a blend of contentious, employment, regulatory, equity capital markets and corporate expertise.

The firm has been operating as 'Francis & Co in association with Addleshaw Goddard' since the appointment in 2013 of Nigel Francis as Head of Asia region. Following the completion of the three year residency rule, the firm successfully applied for a name change with the Hong Kong Law Society to be able to deliver local legal advice under the Addleshaw Goddard brand name.

Nigel Francis, who has operated in Asia for more than 30 years, said: "Although it was always the intention that we would adopt the AG brand once the various regulatory requirements were completed, this is a key milestone in the development of our Asia practice. Our presence in Singapore and Hong Kong at the gateway to the world's fastest growing economy, together with our three offices in the GCC and established international business groups means that we are well positioned to take advantage of increasing levels of business not just in the local market, but also between China and the Gulf region, and the increasing focus on Africa, Korea, Japan and Malaysia.

"We have been very encouraged by the opportunities flowing from our investment and increasing capability in the region and will continue to combine with our wider network to support clients in markets that are increasingly important to them."

In 2013, Addleshaw Goddard announced a formal alliance with Hashidate Law Office which continues and is further supported by this development in Hong Kong.

Addleshaw Goddard has grown in Hong Kong from one partner and paralegal in 2013, to a total current complement of 4 partners, and more than 30 other fee earners. At the end of 2016 Andrew Yang joined as a partner from Goodwin Proctor to support the growth of its Corporate and Equity Capital Markets teams.

In Hong Kong, Addleshaw Goddard delivers a full range of contentious, corporate and commercial issues, including commercial litigation and international arbitration, investigations and financial regulatory advice, foreign direct investment, commercial contracts, employment (contentious and non-contentious) and equity capital markets/IPOs. The equity capital markets team led by Daniel Wan is establishing a growing reputation amongst listing applicants and investment banks in Hong Kong after completing 7 IPOs throughout 2016, including four in December.

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Note to Editors:

Hong Kong law required Addleshaw Goddard to launch as an association, waiting at least three years before it could complete a formal merger with Francis & Co and rebrand as Addleshaw Goddard.