Allen & Overy expands Chinese derivatives team

Allen & Overy is to continue the expansion of its team covering derivatives in Hong Kong and on the Chinese mainland. The international legal firm said the development of the derivatives market in China had led to an increased demand for specialised legal advice from its clients.

Paul Cluley will join the Hong Kong office from Tokyo in the summer, where he will continue to advise on repackagings, collateralised debt obligation transactions and retail offerings of structured finance instruments. He will be joined by Joseph Tse, who will concentrate on regulatory issues.

“This is a logical continuation of the practice, and mirrors current market trends and the increasing diversity and complexity of transactions,” said Thomas Jones, a partner at the law firm.

Allen & Overy has been seeking to bolster its derivatives capabilities in the Chinese market during the past six months, with a number of key personnel having moved from London to increase operations in the Far East.