Dechert has expanded its Hong Kong office with the capture of partners Michael Hickman and Liang Tsui from Fried Frank, and David Chu from dissolved firm Heller Ehrman.

Since the opening of its Hong Kong office in January this year, the recent additions have boosted Dechert's numbers to an 18-strong team across its greater China practices.

"With a focus on China-related transactions, such as M&A and foreign direct investments, Michael Hickman and Liang Tsui have practices that are very synergistic with our ever-expanding China practice," said Dechert Chairman Barton J Winokur. "David Chu's presence will significantly enhance our capability to assist our multinational clients with investigations relating to activities in Asia and cross-border litigation, and also will boost our ability to advise existing clients in the region on litigation in the US and Hong Kong."

Dispute resolution specialist David Chu was promoted as a partner by Heller Ehrman Hong Kong at around the time of Dechert's Hong Kong opening. In the month in which rumours circulated of Heller's collapse, Chu was to be appointed as a representative in Proskauer Rose's Beijing office.

Chu will now work in Dechert's white-collar and securities litigation practice, and says he is looking forward to contributing to the success of the practice.