Anglo-German law firm CMS has expanded its dispute resolution practice in Hong Kong with the addition of partner Adrian Elms from DLA Piper.

The Frankfurt-headquartered firm also added senior consultant Anthony Woo, two associates, and two legal managers.

Elms, who was an of counsel at DLA Piper, has experience representing clients on contentious regulatory work, insolvency-related litigation, and shareholder and commercial disputes.

He has particular expertise in representing clients in investigations before the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the Hong Kong Police.  

Elms has also represented parties in high-value international arbitrations, including pre-IPO investment, sale and purchase of mines, and agency/supply contract disputes.

He becomes CMS’ second partner hire in Hong Kong this year, with the former leader of Mayer Brown’s shipping and maritime transactions team, Conor Warde, joining the firm in February as head of asset finance.

CMS also lost the head of its Singapore-based funds and indirect real assets practice, Matthew Nortcliff, to U.S. law firm Goodwin Procter in March.