Global law firm Latham & Watkins announced on September 1 that it has strengthened its Hong Kong office with the appointment of Grace Huang and Edward Freeman as partners, alongside Cindy Kwong as a capital markets counsel. The strategic additions are designed to reinforce the firm's transactional capabilities in capital markets, M&A, and private equity across the region.

Both new partners arrive from Freshfields' Hong Kong office, where they previously served as partners. Grace Huang had practiced with Freshfields in Hong Kong since 2006, rising to partner in 2009. Meanwhile, Edward Freeman spent over two decades at Freshfields, became a partner in Hong Kong in 2012, and later assumed leadership of the firm's Asia M&A and capital business group.

Grace Huang joins Latham & Watkins' capital markets practice. Her earlier career included stints at Clifford Chance, Allen & Gledhill, and Baker McKenzie — with her professional journey commencing in 1999. She specializes in Asian equity capital markets and M&A transactions, with extensive experience advising on dual and triple primary listings, secondary listings, SPAC listings, and international listings for overseas companies. Notably, she advised on FWD Group's $445 million Hong Kong IPO and led the team that guided Synagistics' merger with HK Acquisition to a Hong Kong listing — marking the territory's first De-SPAC deal.

Edward Freeman brings his expertise to Latham & Watkins' private equity group, focusing on public company M&A. He possesses deep experience in complex cross-border takeovers, privatizations, and contested transactions, representing bidders, target companies, and financial advisers. His client base spans corporations, private capital firms, financial institutions, and insurance companies. He has supported major deals including a consortium's $7 billion privatization of ESR Group and the €4.6 billion acquisition of Amer Sports by a consortium comprising Anta Sports and FountainVest Partners.

Posit Laohaphan, managing partner of Latham & Watkins' Asia offices, expressed enthusiasm in a press release: "We are delighted to welcome Grace and Edward to the firm. Their complementary practice areas, coupled with their considerable experience and exceptional alignment with our Asia and global platforms, will further enhance our leading transactional capabilities in capital markets and public company M&A."