This hire follows RPC’s broader efforts to bolster its capabilities in Asia. Over the past year, the firm has undertaken a calculated expansion, hiring senior lawyers with expertise in cross-border disputes, commercial litigation, and finance. The arrival of the Nixon Peabody partner signals a further deepening of RPC’s corporate and transactional practice in Hong Kong—a region still viewed as a gateway for investment into mainland China despite recent geopolitical and regulatory headwinds.
According to RPC, the new hire brings “substantial experience advising clients on inbound and outbound China investments, IPOs on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and regulatory frameworks across APAC.” The partner’s client base reportedly includes multinational corporations, family offices, and Chinese state-owned enterprises—entities with continued interest in cross-border structuring despite increased scrutiny on foreign investments.
Commenting on the hire, RPC Hong Kong’s Managing Partner said:
“This addition is part of our long-term commitment to serving clients with regional and international ambitions. The partner’s deep China experience complements our disputes and insurance strengths in Hong Kong and brings us closer to becoming a full-service, Asia-facing legal platform.”
This strategic move also coincides with RPC’s alliance-building efforts in Asia. In recent months, RPC has strengthened its involvement in legal networks such as TerraLex, and explored deeper collaborations with other law firms across the Asia-Pacific region. The new corporate partner’s connections with clients across China and Southeast Asia are expected to bolster these efforts and attract new opportunities in sectors like fintech, energy, and infrastructure.
While several international law firms have trimmed operations in Hong Kong in response to geopolitical tensions and a slow IPO market, RPC is taking a contrarian stance—investing in talent and building niche strengths to weather market volatility.
Industry observers say that RPC’s strategy is indicative of a broader shift. Instead of relying solely on large headcounts, many firms are focusing on targeted lateral hires and sector-specific teams to deliver value in evolving legal environments.
