Clydes lures DLA Piper Hong Kong duo to boost Asia presence

Clyde & Co has raided DLA Piper's Hong Kong office for two corporate partners, bolstering its partnership in the city to 10.

Claudio de Bedin and Jason Carmichael join Clydes just a week after the appointment of Dominic Lee to the newly created position of Hong Kong and China managing partner.

De Bedin was hired by DLA Piper in October 2002 from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert to launch the firm's Asia banking practice alongside Deacons partner Grant Docherty, who quit the firm in July 2004.

Meanwhile, commercial specialist Carmichael joined DLA Piper in 2001 after working in-house at technology company Unifize.

The hires are part of Clydes' strategy to develop its corporate, commercial and banking practice in Hong Kong and China. The firm launched its first mainland Chinese office in Shanghai earlier this year.

De Bedin and Carmichael have experience of advising both domestic and Euro- pean clients on a range of transactions. Lee said: "Claudio's and Jason's extensive corporate and commercial experience are a great fit for the firm's long-term goals for Asia, particularly China."

De Bedin added that Clydes' commitment to the region had impressed him.

DLA Piper is left with a large Hong Kong office, including 20 Asia and Anglo-Saxon partners. The firm signed Coudert Brothers' respected China head Jingzhou Tao and at least 20 lawyers in Beijing last year.

DLA Piper declined the opportunity to comment.