Mallesons plumps for Hong Kong merger with local firm

Australia’s Mallesons Stephen Jaques has taken the next step in beefing up its Hong Kong presence, announcing a merger with local firm Kwok & Yih.

The Australian firm’s tie-up with 25-lawyer Kwok & Yih, a corporate finance specialist, will add to the eight partners and 23 fee earners it has taken on in the region over the last 18 months.

The merger with Kwok & Yih, which also has an office in Shanghai, is due to go live from 1 October and will give Mallesons a total of 59 lawyers in Hong Kong.

As part of the merger Kwok & Yih partner Larry Kwok has been promoted to managing partner of Mallesons’ Hong Kong and Chinese operation.