Clifford Chance secures Mayer Brown JSM litigator

Clifford Chance's Hong Kong office has hired litigator Brian Gilchrist from newly-merged Hong Kong firm Johnson Stokes & Master.

As reported by The Lawyer (21 December 2007), Johnson Stokes & Master merged with US firm Mayer Brown to create Mayer Brown JSM, as it is known in Asia, on 28 January.

Gilchrist is the first partner to leave Mayer Brown JSM since the merger, and will join Clifford Chance's four-partner Hong Kong litigation team on 1 May. He has particular experience in tax-related disputes.

Clifford Chance head of litigation and dispute resolution in Asia, Martin Rogers, said: "[Gilchrist's] courtroom and advisory record in Hong Kong speaks for itself, and he brings with him a wealth of contacts in, and a deep understanding of, the city's corporate and commercial world that will complement our existing strengths.

"We work hard to develop and promote the talent within our firm, but we could not pass up the opportunity to add a litigator of Brian's talent and experience to the team."

As well as tax, Gilchrist also specialises in banking, insurance, contentious probate, directors' duties and minority shareholders' rights.

He began his legal career in 1989 with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, before moving to Johnson Stokes and Master in 1995.

Clifford Chance has 40 litigation lawyers in Asia, and offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.