Linklaters' grabs Johnson

Linklaters' regional expansion has continued with a familiar face returning to its corporate/M&A practice in Hong Kong. After serving as a member of the corporate team in the mid-1990s, Keith Johnson will return to Linklaters' Hong Kong office as the leader of its corporate/M&A practice for the territory.

Johnson returns to Hong Kong after a number of years in the law firm's European operations. Most recently, he was a partner in its Stockholm office where his practice focused on capital markets and corporate/M&A. Prior to this posting in 2001, Johnson spent four years as a partner in Linklaters' London offices, where he also served as an articled clerk in the early days of his legal career.

From Hong Kong, Johnson will be expected to draw on his experience in Asian and European M&A, corporate restructuring, private equity and equity offerings. He takes over the role from Simon Davies, who relinquishes his position as head of its Hong Kong corporate/M&A practice to devote more time to clients. Davies remains managing partner for Asia.

In addition to the relocation of Johnson, Linklaters' has also announced that partner Paul McNicholl will transfer from its London offices to its Shanghai practice. McNicholl arrives in the PRC in its corporate/M&A practice and brings expertise in corporate finance transactions, in particular in domestic and international equity offerings and public and private M&A.