Herbert Smith Freehills has hired financial services regulatory expert William Hallatt as a partner in its global FSR practice. William will be based in Hong Kong where he will work closely with Asia managing partner and FSR specialist Mark Johnson to further strengthen the firm's busy FSR practice in Asia.

William acts for banks, private wealth managers, hedge funds, investment managers and private equity firms.  He specialises in acting on contentious FSR matters including advising firms facing regulatory enforcement proceedings and reviews.  He conducts internal investigations for firms, in particular reviews of firms' governance arrangements. William's other areas of expertise include systems and controls, and conduct of business issues,  the market abuse regime and anti-money laundering and terrorist financing requirements.

Mark Johnson commented: "Financial institutions, especially those in Asia, are facing an unprecedented period of regulatory scrutiny about the way in which they operate. Clients need more perceptive guidance than ever before and William makes a great addition to our FSR practice."

Head of global disputes practice Sonya Leydecker commented: "Herbert Smith Freehills enjoys an excellent reputation for providing clients with practical and commercial advice about the impact of financial regulation on their business and their dealings with regulators. William further boosts our Asian team and its ability to cover the full range of regulatory issues across numerous jurisdictions in the area."

William joins Herbert Smith Freehills from Linklaters, where he has worked in both their London and Hong Kong offices.

Herbert Smith Freehills has also recently recruited Tom Leech QC, as a partner in the firm's Advocacy group in London and late last year announced the lateral appointment of partners David Ryan and David Lyons as natural resources and finance partners in Sydney and Brisbane, respectively.