Dentons has poached a four-lawyer dispute resolution team from Bird & Bird in Hong Kong, led by Richard Keady, who led the practice for APAC at his former firm.

Keady is joined by partner Robert Rhoda, and associates James Wong and Connie Wong. 

Prior to joining Bird & Bird six years ago, Keady had a seven-year stint at the legacy Barlow Lyde & Gilbert – moving to Clyde & Co after the two firms merged – and five years at Herbert Smith Freehills, both in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Rhoda, who spent three years at Bird & Bird, was previously with RPC and, before that, with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde.

Dentons has been expanding steadily in the region. In September, the firm added Indonesia’s Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners (HPRP) to its network. The same month, in Singapore, corporate lawyer Eunice Yao returned to Dentons Rodyk & Davidson as partner in its corporate practice group from Fortis Law Corporation.

With the recent departures, Bird & Bird now has eight partners based in Hong Kong who focus on capital markets, employment and corporate matters.

“We are thrilled to have this deeply experienced team on board. The expansion of our litigation capabilities is a key pillar of our strategic growth plans in Hong Kong. I look forward to introducing Richard, Robert and their teams to our clients,” Keith Brandt, Dentons’ Hong Kong Managing Partner, said in a statement.

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