The Zhitong Finance App learned that the world-renowned law firm Latham & Watkins (Latham & Watkins) officially announced on September 1 the introduction of Wong Wing-wai and Edward Freeman to join the Hong Kong office as partners to strengthen the firm's business strength in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity. Joining Mr. Wong and Mr. Freeman is also capital market consultant attorney Cindy Kwong (Cindy Kwong).
Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Wong Wing-wai and Edward Freeman were partners in the Hong Kong office of Freshfields (Freshfields). Wong Wing-wai has been practicing at Fuertech Hong Kong since 2006 and was promoted to partner in 2009. Freeman has been a partner in the Hong Kong office for over 20 years and was promoted to the position of partner in the Hong Kong office in 2012, and later became the head of the Asian business group for global mergers and acquisitions and capital businesses.
Wong Wing-wai joined the Latham & Watkins Capital Markets team. Early in her career, she practiced law at Clifford Chance (Clifford Chance), Allen & Gledhill (Allen & Gledhill), and Baker McKenzie (Baker McKenzie) since 1999.
She focuses on Asian equity capital markets and M&A transactions, and has extensive experience in dual and triple major listings, secondary listings, special purpose acquisition company listings, and overseas company listings. She advised the pan-Asian insurance company FWD Group (FWD Group) on its US$445 million Hong Kong IPO; she also led the team to assist Shiteng Holdings and Huide to land on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after the merger. The project was the first De-SPAC deal in Hong Kong.
Freeman joined the Latham & Watkins private equity team and is deeply involved in the field of mergers and acquisitions of listed companies. He has extensive experience in complex cross-border acquisitions, privatization and contentious transactions. He provides legal services to all parties involved in transactions such as bidders, target companies, and financial advisors. His clients include enterprises, private capital, financial intermediaries and insurance companies. He has supported transactions such as the $7 billion privatization of ESR Group, Anta Sports, and Fangyuan Capital Foundation's 4.6 billion euro acquisition of Amafen Sports.
Posit Laohaphan, managing partner of the Latham & Watkins Asia office, said in a press release, “We warmly welcome Grace and Edward to join. Not only are their business areas highly complementary, but their rich experience and high level of collaboration with our Asian and global platforms will further strengthen our leading trading business strength in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions of listed companies.”