Hong Kong’s largest law firm Deacons has expanded its banking and finance team with two partner additions from U.S. firm Reed Smith. While Michael Sinn (L) was a partner, Crystal Li was a counsel. 

Sinn, who was co-head of the banking and finance department at Reed Smith, advises lenders and borrowers in syndicated and bilateral loan transactions, including green finance, property development and real estate finance, acquisition finance, cross-border financings, and general credit facilities in domestic, PRC, and overseas markets. He also provides advise to banks, financial institutions, and moneylenders on general banking matters. 

Sinn started his career at Reed Smith as a trainee solicitor in 2008, and was promoted to partner in 2019. 

Li also spent the entirety of her prior career at Reed Smith, having joined that firm in 2009. She represents international and PRC banks, financial institutions, corporates and investors in numerous cross-border financing transactions, syndicated and bilateral loan financing transactions. Li also has experience in asset financings, including ship finance transactions and finance lease transactions.

“The latest lateral additions to the firm’s banking and finance practice will further enhance our ability to deliver high-quality services to our clients and strengthen our leading position in this field,” Deacons said in a statement. 

Deacons, now with more than 50 partners in Hong Kong, has adopted a cautious approach to expansion. In November of last year, the firm bolstered its litigation capabilities by adding disputes partner Gillian Lam from Baker McKenzie. 

Sinn’s departure from Reed Smith marks the second corporate finance partner to leave the firm this year. In January, the U.S. firm lost partner Patrick Wong to local capital markets boutique CFN Lawyers. Reed Smith now counts 23 partners in Hong Kong.