Global law firm White & Case has hired equity capital markets expert Ryan Tou as a local partner in Hong Kong from Allen & Overy, where he was an of counsel.

With more than a decade of experience, Tou advises issuers and investment banks on IPOs and other capital market transactions as well as corporate governance. Before joining A&O in 2018, he worked for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates, and Reed Smith in Hong Kong.

In a statement, White & Case said the hire would enhance its global capital markets practice, which is one of the firm’s focus areas. Tou’s “arrival represents an exciting expansion of our existing capabilities advising international and regional clients on Hong Kong IPOs and public company issues,” said Eugene Man, Asia-Pacific banking & capital markets regional head at White & Case.

White & Case now has 16 partners in Hong Kong. They include disputes practitioner Wilfred Ho, who joined from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in July, and restructuring expert Sophie Lyall, who came on board from Ashurst in September.

Last year, the Hong Kong office also saw the departures of Melody Chan, the firm’s Greater China disputes head, to Allen & Overy, and debt finance local partner Stephen Howard to Goodwin Procter.