Slaughter and May gets new partner from Hong Kong exchange

Slaughter and May has made a rare lateral partner appointment, this time picking up a senior lawyer from the Hong Kong exchange (HKEX).

Jing Chen and Harry Bacon were announced as the Magic Circle firm’s two newest partners on Wednesday.

Chen, who specialises in M&A and capital markets, commences with the firm next month. He was an associate at the firm before moving in-house in 2017 to HKEX, where he was first seconded in 2016.

Bacon, who specialises in finance, will be a partner starting May. He first joined the firm in 2009 as a trainee.

“I am delighted to welcome Harry and Jing as partners. Harry is a highly skilled lawyer in our financing group and will make a major contribution to the growth of our worldwide practice,” said Steve Cooke, Slaughter and May senior partner.

“We are also very pleased that Jing is returning to the firm and know that he will play an important role in building on our long-established Asian presence,” he said.

Chen is only the fourth lateral partner hire for Slaughter and May. He follows Wynne Mok, who was hired in Hong Kong last year from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission.

Slaughter and May made its first lateral partner appointment in 2014 with John Moore, who joined in Hong Kong from Morrison & Foerster. Daniel Schaffer followed in 2017 in London, making the move from Herbert Smith Freehills.