German law firm CMS has moved to merge its Hong Kong operations through the integration of CMS Hasche Sigle Hong Kong and local association firm Lau, Horton & Wise under the name CMS Hong Kong, striving to enhance brand presence and market positioning across the region.
CMS Hong Kong office managing partner Steven Wise told Asia Business Law Journal that the merger between CMS Hasche Sigle and Lau Horton & Wise, which had been operating in association with each other since 2018, was an evolution of their existing strategy rather than a representation of a significant shift.
“This merger is a key milestone in our Asia-Pacific growth strategy. By uniting our resources and expertise under the CMS name, we will enhance our brand presence and market positioning across the region. It allows us to deliver seamless, integrated services to clients with greater depth and cohesion, ensuring comprehensive support for their projects and disputes throughout the Asia-Pacific,” said Wise.
In the special administrative region, registered foreign law firms are not permitted to practise Hong Kong law or employ Hong Kong solicitors or make them partners, but can do so if they enter into an association with a local law firm. Three years after establishing an association, they are allowed to fully merge.
Wise from Lau Horton & Wise is leading CMS Hong Kong, with CMS Hasche Sigle’s Mariel Dimsey heading the merged firm’s international arbitration practice. All local partners and lawyers, a total of 40, are now part of the merged firm.
CMS Hong Kong offers advice across a range of practice and sector groups, including banking and finance, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, international arbitration, insurance and reinsurance, as well as IP, funds, life sciences, shipping and trade, and TMT.
During the past year, CMS, then under the association with Lau Horton & Wise, has hired talent in Hong Kong, including funds partners Helen Wang and Paul Moloney from Mayer Brown, as well as M&A partner Steven Tran from Morrison & Foerster.
“Together, they (the recent hires) have significantly bolstered our funds and corporate offering in the region, which are areas where we’re seeing increasing activity. We have also grown our shipping and trade practice, which is now the largest such practice in Hong Kong,” said Wise.
