O’Melveny & Myers has appointed Nima Amini as the managing partner of its Hong Kong office in place of James Ford, who moved to Allen & Overy.

Ford handles funds and asset management matters such as those involving private equity, real estate, credit and infrastructure, fund establishments and structuring, and strategic fund investments. He joins Allen & Overy’s Asia-Pacific funds and asset management practice.

Ford’s hire comes as Allen & Overy shores up its Hong Kong office following the exits of lawyers Cliff Chow, Liang (Alex) Tao, and Michael Jacobs last year.

Amini, who has been with the O’Melveny for 14 years, advises on private equity and multi-jurisdictional public and private M&A matters. He was named Young Lawyer of the Year at the ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2016.

“Nima is a natural choice for this key leadership role,” said O’Melveny chair Bradley J. Butwin. “We are delighted that he will be at the helm as we execute on our client-focused strategy in Hong Kong and throughout Asia.”

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