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International law firm Mayer Brown has agreed in principle for the Hong Kong partnership to separate from the international practices of Mayer Brown, taking its previous name, Johnson Stokes & Master, according to a May 2 media statement. Mayer Brown has around 160 staff in Hong Kong.
The statement said that Mayer Brown will continue to operate in Hong Kong through a new partnership, focusing on areas of practice aligned with the "firm’s strategy internationally and in Asia".
Johnson Stokes & Master, which had combined with Mayer Brown in 2008, will focus on its "unique position as a home-grown full-service law firm in Hong Kong", the statement said. The Hong Kong firm also has representative offices in Beijing and Shanghai which will continue, as well as a intellectual property agency office in Beijing.
The proposed agreement between the partnerships is subject to approval from The Law Society of Hong Kong and could take effect before the end of the year, with certain transitional arrangements being in place up until mid-2025, the statement said.
The Hong Kong partnership has deals with firms across banking, construction, education, healthcare, insurance, life sciences, logistics and transport, real estate, retail and technology.
Mayer Brown’s new Hong Kong partnership will link up with its offices in Asia, and focus on corporate and finance work, including capital markets and M&A, infrastructure, and energy, the statement said. No further details were provided.
In Asia, Mayer Brown also has offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Tokyo.
Jon Van Gorp, chair of Mayer Brown, said in the statement: “We are immensely proud of our 15-year combination with legacy JSM and the success we have achieved together, and the strong relationships that have formed between our lawyers, our staff, and our clients."
Van Gorp continued: "Our strategic plan prioritises the development of core products and industries that are most relevant to our clients in the world’s leading global financial centers, including Hong Kong. This arrangement allows Mayer Brown to continue its presence in Hong Kong with a practice that aligns with our strategic priorities.”
“We are delighted that the Hong Kong partnership will continue its 160-year legacy,” added Van Gorp. “The Hong Kong partnership has consistently been recognised as the leading full-service law firm in Hong Kong and is uniquely positioned to continue this legacy in Hong Kong and Mainland China.”
Terence Tung, senior partner of the Hong Kong partnership, said: “We will continue to support clients with a full-service offering in Hong Kong and through offices in the Chinese mainland, which is consistent with our roots as a home-grown law firm with a deep understanding of the region."
