Asia Pacific

International law firm, Maples and Calder, has announced the appointment of three new partners in its Hong Kong office, Ann Ng, Jenny Nip and Nick Harrold. 

Ann Ng is an investment funds lawyer, with a particular focus on the Hong Kong  and China market. She has expertise in the formation, structuring and restructuring of all types of open and closed end funds including hedge funds, private equity and venture capital, real estate and infrastructure funds.

Jenny Nip is the first Mandarin speaking partner of Maples and Calder and heads the Hong Kong office's Greater China practice. She has broad experience in corporate and commercial transactions and specialises in M&A, banking, IPOs and other capital markets transactions.    

Nick Harrold's practice is focused on all aspects of investment funds; advising on the launch, structuring and restructuring of both open and closed-ended fund structures. He advises an international client base, with a particular focus on the Asian markets of Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong, in the full range of fund vehicles, including companies, partnerships and unit trusts.

Gareth Griffiths, managing partner of Maples and Calder's Hong Kong office said, "We continue to grow our Hong Kong office to service increasing client demands in the region and are very pleased to announce these new appointments.  Our new partners are leaders in their fields and are committed to providing the highest level of service to our clients." 

Litigator, Aisling Dwyer moved to our Hong Kong office in early 2011.  Aisling has a wide range of experience in respect of insolvency proceedings, corporate disputes and other areas of international commercial litigation. She has worked on various matters involving distressed funds and has advised shareholders, creditors, liquidators and directors in this regard.

Arabella di Iorio, head of our British Virgin Islands litigation group commented that "Aisling will be sorely missed in our British Virgin Islands office.  She is a barrister with considerable court experience, but given our global reach and strong Asian client base, her relocation is a sound commercial decision from which clients will undoubtedly benefit."

Hong Kong based Partner, John Trehey, who specialises in commercial litigation said "The loss of Aisling from our British Virgin Islands office is a gain for our Hong Kong office.  Aisling has excellent credentials and first hand practical experience of litigating in the courts of the British Virgin Islands, which makes her an invaluable asset to our Hong Kong based team."

Michael Gagie, formerly managing partner for Asia for another firm practising British Virgin Islands law, joined our Hong Kong as a partner in late 2010. 

Commenting on his move, Global Head of the firm's British Virgin Islands law practice, Kieran Walsh, stated "We are delighted with Michael's decision to join us.  Michael is renowned for his expertise and insight on matters of British Virgin Islands law.  Clients and colleagues alike respect him for his sound commercial advice and technical ability, making him an excellent complement to our team." 

Michael said "I am delighted to have joined the pre-eminent firm and indeed the largest team in the region practising British Virgin Islands law. The firm's footprint in Asia provides a fantastic platform from which to provide clients with British Virgin Islands advice."