U.S. law firm Jones Day has boosted its capital markets offering in Hong Kong with the hire of Kirkland & Ellis partner Ming Kong and former Sidley Austin counsel Dominic Sze.
Kong’s departure marks the fourth partner exit from Kirkland’s Hong Kong office this month following Wang Shinong, Paul Quinn, and Gary Li.
With experience guiding companies in Greater China through the IPO process – from pre-IPO financing through listing and beyond – Kong has acted for corporate clients, investment banks, and private equity funds on financing transactions and general corporate matters. He joined Kirkland in March 2022 after nearly nine years at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
Meanwhile, Sze’s debt capital markets experience includes high-yield and unrated debts, investment-grade debts, convertible and exchangeable securities, perpetual securities, dim sum bonds, green bonds, structured notes, and privately issued instruments. His most recent role was a short stint at local firm YTL, following over 17 years at Sidley.
“Their experience advising on multibillion-dollar public offerings and high-stakes convertible debt placements is an excellent complement to the capabilities of our global practice and I'm delighted to welcome them to Jones Day,” said Jay Tambe, leader of Jones Day's financial markets practice, in a statement.
Added Joelle Lau, partner-in-charge of Jones Day's Hong Kong Office: “At a time when some international law firms are leaving Mainland China and Hong Kong, the arrivals of Ming and Dominic underscore our long-term commitment to the legal and business communities here.”
With the hires, Jones Day now has 17 lawyers in Hong Kong, including seven partners.
