International law firm Simmons & Simmons continues to expand in Hong Kong with the appointment of Joseph Lee who joins the firm this week as a partner* in its corporate and commercial practice.

Joseph specialises in corporate finance and securities transactions. His practice focuses particularly on initial public offerings related to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. He has also advised numerous Hong Kong based companies on joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, pre-IPO investments and private equity transactions. In addition, he has extensive experience with corporate restructurings and reorganisations, corporate governance, compliance, securities laws, and Hong Kong listing rules.

Based in Simmons & Simmons’ Hong Kong office, Joseph’s arrival is the second new hire in a month following the appointment of David Neuville, who also joined the firm’s Hong Kong office as a partner, in the financial markets group. Both David and Joseph are returning to Simmons & Simmons, having practiced at the firm together as partners from 2004 through to 2006. Both rejoin from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in Hong Kong. They bring with them a team of associates who will join over the next few weeks.

David specialises in capital markets, both equity and debt. His practice focuses on the representation of issuers and underwriters in global offerings of securities. He is recognised for his work as a US capital markets lawyer across a wide variety of capital markets transactions and has experience working on major cross border financing transactions in China, Hong Kong and throughout Asia, including in India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, South Korea and Mongolia.

Mark Curtis, head of the firm’s international corporate and commercial group, commented: “Joseph’s appointment marks a further milestone in the expansion of our corporate practice. His reputation and experience in corporate finance and securitisation will be instrumental to our international practice and our continued growth in Asia.”

Jason Daniel, head of the firm’s corporate and commercial group in Asia continued: “Having Joseph and David rejoin us with the new team will greatly increase our international capability in Asia, and the opportunities for our clients and their businesses, particularly in financial institutions as one of our five key sector priorities.”