Following the departure of a number of partners in London earlier this year, UK firm Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) has appointed a new managing partner for Hong Kong and China. Long-time Hong Kong litigation partner David Smyth has been promoted to the role, succussed Camille Jojo, who has held the position since 1995.

Prior to Smyth's appointment, the firm relocated two London partners, John Hanson and Mert Hifzi, to its Singapore office. The firm also recently hired Lisa Foley in Hong Kong to be its first ever chief operating officer for Asia.

BLG senior partner Simon Konsta said that the firm would continue to look to Asia for growth. Currently, the firm has five offices in London, Oxford, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.