Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM), one of Hong Kong's oldest law firms, has announced its return as a leading independent firm in the region following a previously announced separation from Mayer Brown.

The 160-year-old Hong Kong partnership has received approval from The Law Society of Hong Kong to revert to its legacy name following Mayer Brown’s announcement of its plans to separate from its current Hong Kong operations. However, JSM will temporarily remain in association with Mayer Brown Hong Kong during a transition period.

During this temporary association, JSM and Mayer Brown Hong Kong will treat themselves as one firm for the purpose of professional rules of conduct relating to confidentiality and conflicts of interest, according to the firm's statement.

JSM's new management committee is led by senior partner Terence Tung, alongside commercial managing partner Hannah Ha, dispute resolution managing partner Geoffrey Chan, and real estate managing partner Keith Cheung.

"Our vision is to support our clients to capitalise on an exciting and unique range of local and global opportunities," Tung said in a statement.

With over 120 lawyers, including 40 partners, JSM aims to focus on sectors critical to Hong Kong's role as a "super-connector" between mainland China and global markets. The firm will maintain Mayer Brown’s representative offices in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as an intellectual property agency office in Beijing.

JSM's strategy involves leveraging its experience in high-growth sectors such as cybersecurity, ESG, insurance, private capital, and technology, while maintaining its traditional strengths in banking, finance, real estate, and construction.

Mayer Brown, meanwhile, will have about 10 partners in Hong Kong led by capital markets partner Thomas Kollar. It currently also has offices in Singapore and Tokyo. Media reports have suggested the firm’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City branches will become a part of JSM following the split.