Offshore law firm Appleby has added banking and finance expert Lily Miao as a partner in its Hong Kong office from rival Mourant Ozannes, where she was a counsel.

Miao becomes Appleby’s fourth lateral partner hire in Hong Kong in about 12 months. Since February last year, the office has added partners Lorinda Peasland, Eason Huang, and Kitty Chan.

With close to 15 years of offshore and onshore experience in Asia and the UK, she advises on transactions ranging from leveraged and acquisition finance to real estate finance and general corporate lending, with a focus on fund finance.

Prior to joining Mourant in 2016, Miao was an associate in Clifford Chance’s London, Singapore, and Hong Kong offices.

"With her extensive background and specialised expertise in fund financing, Lily represents a strategic hire who intersects with our leading banking and finance and fund practices to further support our offering in Asia,” said David Bulley, managing partner of Appleby’s Hong Kong and Shanghai offices, in a statement.

Appleby now has 26 lawyers in Hong Kong, including 11 partners. The office added counsel Damon Booth and legal manager Yan Zeng in January this year.