The Hong Kong office of CMS has entered in an association with newly formed local outfit Shirley Lau & Co., led by an ex-Troutman Sanders partner of the same name. 

The association is expected to offer CMS the ability to offer local law advice in Hong Kong. Apart from Lau, the new firm includes associates from Troutman, as well as members of CMS Hong Kong’s existing team.

In January this year, Troutman announced it was set to close its Asia offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing at the end of May, shortly after completing 20 years of operation in Hong Kong.

Since then, the firm’s Hong Kong-based lawyers have been moving to other firms. Last month, three lawyers from Troutman, including arbitration partner Ronald Sum, joined Locke Lord.

A commercial and corporate finance specialist with expertise across M&A, corporate restructuring and public offerings among others, Lau has participated in more than 30 initial public offerings in her career spanning over 25 years.  

CMS opened its Hong Kong office in 2016 through CMS Hasche Sigle, the German member firm of the CMS network. The office is led by arbitration partner Nicolas Wiegand.

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