Bird & Bird has recruited capital markets expert David Cheng as a partner in Hong Kong from Winston & Strawn, which recently shuttered its Hong Kong office.

U.S. law firm Winston & Strawn closed its Hong Kong outpost on Feb. 1 after 15 years of operation in the city. In a statement, it said the exit aimed to further “consolidate our resources in Asia.”

With more than 15 years of experience, Chen advises underwriters, placing agents, and public and private companies in sectors such as energy, food and beverage, consumer products, real estate, pharmaceuticals, finance, media and entertainment, technology and communications on IPO, spin-off and M&A, with a focus on IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

“His arrival is key as we look to maximise the opportunities presented by the Hong Kong capital markets, and his experience in regulatory compliance and other transactions will further strengthen our corporate practice both domestically and across the whole of the APAC region,” said Ted Chwu, head of Bird & Bird in China, in a statement.

Cheng joined Winston & Strawn in 2015 and became a partner in 2019. Previously, he was at DLA Piper.

Bird & Bird now has 18 partners in Greater China.