Herbert Smith Freehills boosts Asia capital markets team with hire of partner Xavier Amadei

International law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has hired US securities partner Xavier Amadei, as part of the ongoing expansion of its Asian and global capital markets and corporate capability.

Based in Singapore, Amadei has deep experience in both equity, equity-linked and debt offerings. With over 15 years of experience, he joins Herbert Smith Freehills from Baker McKenzie in Singapore, where he was a partner.

He has advised investment banks, issuers and shareholders throughout Asia and beyond on IPOs, rights issues, block trades, medium term note programmes, straight debt issuances, high yield note offerings, green bonds, liability management exercises, and other transactions. He will add US capability in Southeast Asia, India and Australia, and enhance the firm's existing capability in China.

"The boom in IPOs, M&A activity and other markets transactions in Asia means our regional practice has never been busier," said Graeme Preston, Asia head of corporate at HSF. "Xavier will be a welcome and important addition to our team and will help us to meet record client demand, especially in India and Southeast Asia."

Amadei is the third senior capital markets hire by Herbert Smith Freehills in the past three months, following the hire of counsel Ariel Lin in Hong Kong and Agetha Shen by the firm's joint operation partner Kewei in Shanghai. Together with counsel Jin Kong in Hong Kong, they will form one of the largest senior US securities legal teams in the Asia region.

"Our firm advised on US$4.3 billion worth of IPOs in 2021 alone, with each requiring US securities expertise, and we only expect this activity to grow," added China managing partner Matt Emsley. "Xavier's broad regional experience will be essential for clients and also help us develop our strong pipeline of local US securities talent." 

Having moved to Hong Kong in 2008 and Singapore in 2014, Amadei has worked with clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region, leading transactions in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. While he will continue to be based in Singapore, he will work with teams and clients across the region, including supporting the firm's Australian capital markets team with US securities capabilities.

"What a fantastic addition to our Asia-Pacific capital markets practice," said Tom O’Neill, head of the firm's US securities practice. "Xavier is a valued member and familiar face at the high end of the regional capital markets ecosystem for many years, having worked on major equity and debt deals for issuers, sellers and their investment banks.  We are delighted to welcome him as a Herbert Smith Freehills partner."

Originally from France, Amadei received a dual juris doctor and maitrise en droit from Cornell Law School in New York and Université Paris-1 Pantheon Sorbonne, in a joint degree programme

"Xavier offers both US securities expertise and broad Asia experience - a combination that is in great demand from our regional and global clients," said Asia managing partner May Tai. "His hire is also an important part of the ongoing expansion of our Asia operations."

With Amadei's appointment, the firm's Asia corporate practice will comprise over 160 lawyers including 25 partners.