Ashurst Taps Funds Expert James Ford From A&O Shearman
Global law firm Ashurst has bolstered its Hong Kong investment funds and asset management practice with the appointment;
By: : Daniel
Update: 2025-01-07 08:45 GMT
Ashurst Taps Funds Expert James Ford From A&O Shearman
Global law firm Ashurst has bolstered its Hong Kong investment funds and asset management practice with the appointment of James Ford as a Partner. Ford, a Former Managing Partner of O'Melveny’s Hong Kong office, joins from A&O Shearman, bringing with him a wealth of experience in private equity and alternative assets.
Ford specializes in fundraising, secondary transactions, mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, and capital markets. He has extensive expertise in structuring funds and transactions to navigate regulatory, tax, and transactional complexities. His client base includes Asian and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds.
Ford's career includes a 17-year tenure at O'Melveny, where he served as Managing Partner of the Hong Kong office from July 2018 until his departure. He also spent four years at SJ Berwin, now part of King & Wood Mallesons. Since October 2023, he has served as Vice-Chair of the technical committee of the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.
Ashurst’s Hong Kong office Managing Partner, Ben Hammond, described Ford’s appointment as a “significant step” in the firm’s strategy to expand its presence in China, Hong Kong, and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Hammond added, “James' expertise and established client relationships will be invaluable in enhancing our service offerings and supporting our clients' needs in this dynamic market.”
Nick Goddard, Ashurst’s Global Practice Head of Investment Funds, emphasized that Ford’s extensive experience in the funds sector, particularly in secondary transactions, aligns well with the firm’s strategic goals. He added, “James will play a key role in driving the continued success and expansion of our global investment funds practice.”
Ford joins Lance Jiang in leading Ashurst’s funds practice in Hong Kong, which now consists of five lawyers. The firm currently has 30 lawyers based full-time in Hong Kong, including 16 partners.