6 March – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Mallesons Stephen Jaques has announced the appointment of leading China M&A and Corporate lawyer Stuart Valentine as a partner of its China practice with effect from 1 March 2006.
Stuart joins Mallesons from the Hong Kong office of Clifford Chance, where he had been a partner since 1994. He helped found that firm’s China practice. Stuart’s work there included advising clients in the corporate and finance sectors on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, technology transfer and regulatory issues relevant to foreign businesses in China.
In making the announcement, Mallesons’ Chief Executive Partner Robert Milliner said: “The surge in enquiries and new instructions to our firm across Asia continues. In particular, we are seeing significant interest in M&A activity in China.
“This appointment is in response to client demand. Stuart’s extensive experience in corporate and financial institution mergers and acquisitions activity in China, combined with his fluency in Mandarin, and familiarity with China’s culture and government will, I am sure, be appreciated by our clients.”
Managing Partner, China Larry Kwok added “Stuart’s skills complement Mallesons’ expanded on-ground capability in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai following its 2004 merger with corporate boutique firm Kwok & Yih. We are delighted that he has chosen to join us.”
A former diplomat with the Australian foreign service, Stuart spent three years posted to Australia’s Beijing Embassy in the mid-1980’s. He is fluent in Mandarin. Stuart is qualified as a solicitor in Australia, England and Wales, and Hong Kong.
Stuart Valentine is the second lateral hire partner to join Mallesons’ Hong Kong office in the past year. In January 2005, Steven Christopher moved to Mallesons from Linklaters’ Hong Kong office.
According to Thomson Financial, Mallesons rose from 22nd in 2004 to 6th in 2005 in the Asian M&A league tables (ex Australia, ex Japan). In 2005, the firm completed Asian M&A deals with a combined value of US$8.43 billion.
