U.S. law firm Morrison Foerster has hired private equity and U.S. public M&A expert Xiaoxi Lin as a partner in its Hong Kong office from Linklaters, making its second lateral hire in the private equity space in Asia within just a week.

This hiring comes just days after MoFo announced PE specialist Scott Jalowayski's return as a partner in Singapore. The firm is looking to replenish its ranks following several recent partner departures: In Singapore, Steven Tran moved to CMS, while Shirin Tang and Lip Kian Ang joined Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Vivian Yiu and Huang Ke left for Jingtian & Gongcheng.

Lin brings over 15 years of experience to MoFo's corporate group, with a particular focus on private equity and M&A transactions across Asia and the U.S. He joined Linklaters in 2021 from Kirkland & Ellis, prior to which he worked at Davis Polk & Wardwell.

Lin's expertise includes advising private equity and investment fund clients on various transactions, including control and leveraged buyouts, growth capital investments, and public takeovers. He also has experience with U.S. and Asian public transactions, which encompass take-privates, SPAC IPOs, and de-SPAC transactions.

"Xiaoxi represents a terrific addition to Morrison Foerster. He brings deep experience across a range of corporate transactions, a strong business sense, and cross-cultural dealmaking skills that are rare in the market and that will enhance the firm's private equity and M&A offering in Asia and globally,” said Marcia Ellis, global co-chair of Morrison Foerster's private equity group.

Added Timothy Blakely, the firm’s Hong Kong managing partner: "Xiaoxi's arrival bolsters our private equity and M&A experience across Greater China and Asia. We recognize his reputation for being a collaborative and highly skilled transactional lawyer, and we are looking forward to integrating him into Morrison Foerster's global network and establishing connections with colleagues and clients across the region."

With Lin’s hire, Morrison Foerster now has seven partners in Hong Kong.