Leading HK lawyer strengthens Morrison & Foerster

Morrison & Foerster has announced the hire of Tien-yo Chao as a partner in its Hong Kong office. Chao, a co-founder and senior partner of local law firm Chao and Chung, will also continue his corporate practice.

Chao brings with him almost 20 years experience in the Greater China corporate finance legal market, with a particular focus on securities offerings, M&A and private equity. Accompanying him will be two Chao and Chung associates, Petrius Lui and Francisca Chan.

Commenting on the appointment, Morrison & Foerster managing partner Robert Woll says, "This is a real milestone for us. Since adding our Hong Kong law capability less than two years ago, we've been very successful in building a top tier Hong Kong corporate practice. Tien is a great fit with our team and brings a practice that broadens our Hong Kong platform."

Chao became an English solicitor in 1983 and a Hong Kong solicitor in 1984. He was an associate at Stephenson Harwood & Lo in Hong Kong before joining Slaughter and May in Hong Kong in 1986, where he became partner in 1990 and led some of the early China securities work in the early 1990's. In 1994, he established Chao and Chung, which focused on M&A, corporate finance, private equity and regulatory compliance.