Raymond Kwok is to join Simmons & Simmons’ Hong Kong office to lead the firm’s China real estate practice. Raymond joins Simmons & Simmons as a partner from Denton Wilde Sapte as of 01 August 2004.
Raymond is one of Asia’s leading real estate practitioners, and has extensive expertise across a broad range of property and property-related matters in Hong Kong and China. He specialises in real estate and infrastructure development, acquisitions and disposals, property litigation, property financing, planning and project conveyancing.
Raymond joins Simmons & Simmons with senior associate Phoebe Kim Yee Ip, who has experience in property, property finance and infrastructure development work in both the public and private sectors.
The appointments of Raymond and Phoebe will strengthen an already experienced real estate team at Simmons & Simmons, which includes consultant Winnie Lai who joined Simmons & Simmons in 2001 and who has helped the firm establish an impressive stable of real estate clients.
The arrival of the team will benefit several other areas of Simmons & Simmons’ China practice. Between 2001 and 2004, Raymond was head of Denton Wilde Sapte’s Corporate Commercial Group. His understanding of these areas will support the development of Simmons & Simmons’ China Corporate group, and the firm’s China Construction and Projects practices, which benefited earlier this year from the arrival of consultants John Cole and Jack Su.
Raymond Kwok commented:
“I am delighted to be joining Simmons & Simmons’ real estate practice. My skills fit well with Simmons & Simmons’ existing capabilities, whilst the firm’s strong corporate and finance groups provide an excellent platform for me to further expand the real estate practice. The rebound of the property market in late 2003 and into 2004 is offering new prospects for investors and developers across China. By combining my many years of experience as a property lawyer in Asia with the significant, and increasing strength of Simmons & Simmons in this area, we will be able to offer our clients greater support in maximising opportunities in the region.
Huen Wong, China Managing Partner, commented:
“It is a privilege to welcome such experienced lawyers to our team. Raymond’s background advising developers fits well with our existing client base and our strategy to expand this area of our real estate practice. His capability in advising on infrastructure projects will also be an addition to our China Construction and Projects practices, which have both made considerable progress in the past few years. Raymond and Phoebe will be considerable assets to our China practice.”
Raymond spent 17 years at Denton Wilde Sapte, during which he held a series of senior roles. He was head of the firm’s the Property Group at between 1992 and 1998, before moving on to become Managing Partner of the firm’s Hong Kong office and Chief Representative of the firm’s Beijing office between 1998 and 2001 and 2001 and 2002 respectively.
