Baker & McKenzie Strengthens Securities Practice in China
Firm News
4 July 2011
Hong Kong, China, 4 July 2011 – Baker & McKenzie is pleased to announce that Yunlong Gao has joined Baker & McKenzie’s Beijing office as partner on 1 July.
Mr. Gao focuses his practice on corporate finance, US capital markets and corporate governance. He has extensive experience in representing Chinese companies in their international offerings and offshore listings. He also advises US public-listed companies and their boards on corporate governance and securities regulatory matters.
He joins the Firm’s market-leading Asia Pacific US Securities Group, a team of more than 20 international securities professionals across the Firm’s Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo offices. The team has a long track record of working with Asian companies on transactions that involve US securities issues, and has acted on many landmark deals, including the privatization of Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company, which was the first US-listed company going private under the Cayman Islands merger statute, and the USD700 million Global Offering of PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk.
“We are delighted to have Yunlong join the Firm,” said Ashok Lalwani, Head of Baker & McKenzie’s Asia Pacific Securities Group. His experience not only complements our existing skill sets within the Securities team, but also further strengthens our international capital markets practice and our ability to seamlessly service the needs of our clients pertaining to listings in the US."
Poh Lee Tan, Managing Partner of the China and Hong Kong offices, said, “Yunlong’s addition represents another significant step in the continuing expansion of our China capabilities, following the recent joining of James Kwan in our leading International Arbitration practice, who brings a wealth of international and regional experience, having been involved in disputes and arbitrations in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.These new partner additions, as well as the election of six new partners across our China offices, demonstrate our commitment in attracting the right mix of legal talent and enhance our abilities to service our clients across the full suite of corporate and commercial laws.”
Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Gao was with Shearman & Sterling LLP where he was part of its capital markets group. He holds a LL.M. degree from Yale Law School and a Master of Law and a LL.B. degree from Peking University Law School.
CY Leung, a partner in the Securities Group in Hong Kong, retired on 30 June 2011, after 24 years with the Firm. The Firm is grateful to CY Leung for all his efforts in building up the Firm’s market leading securities practice in Hong Kong and China, as well as being involved in numerous major H-share listings over the years. The partners and staff at Baker & McKenzie wish him the best in his future endeavours.
Elsa Chan is the head of the Hong Kong Securities Group, comprising 15 partners and over 40 associates based across the Firm’s Hong Kong and China offices. The Securities Group has been further strengthened with the election of Christina Lee as a partner. Christina’s practice focuses on fund raising and advisory work for listed companies in Hong Kong as well as mergers & acquisitions and takeovers.