Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw opens Hong Kong Office

Law firm Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw (MBR&M), already a leading presence in emerging market securitisation, is taking aim at the nexus of growth between the US, Europe and Asia, according to a press release issued last week. An important focus will be supporting international clients looking to expand into China, and conversely, to help Chinese companies grow their international business. The firm expects to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2007.

In terms of staffing, two partners will head up the office initially. Jeffrey H Chen has moved over from a partnership at Jones Day in Hong Kong to join MBR&M. Chen, a securitisation specialist, will work alongside Stephen Bottomley, a partner, who will relocate to Hong Kong from London in January 2007.

"Within three months, we hope to have hired a further 20 staff," says Chen.
The Hong Kong office complements the firmÆs consulting office in Beijing. This officeÆs global trade practice includes former government luminaries such as former US secretary of commerce Mickey Kantor. The office also advises on real estate, financial services, insurance, energy, pharmaceuticals and mining.

The firm has an interesting claim to fame: it wrote æThe Securitization of Financial AssetsÆ which has since become something of an industry bible.