HONG KONG – May 2, 2012 – Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is pleased to announce that capital markets and M&A lawyer Christopher W. Betts has joined the firm as a partner.
Mr. Betts, who previously was a partner at another major international law firm, has represented a number of leading investment banks and PRC companies in connection with listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, mergers and acquisitions, rights issues and other transactions. He is fluent in Mandarin and is recognized as a leading lawyer in Hong Kong and China by legal directories such as Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific and International Financial Law Review. He has been based in the region since 2000. Mr. Betts is the fourth partner to join Skadden's Asia Pacific practice in the past year. Since September 2011, senior corporate and finance partner Clive Rough has joined the firm and M&A partner John Adebiyi has relocated from London to Hong Kong. U.S. corporate partner Daniel Dusek now divides his time between New York and Beijing.
"Christopher is a significant addition to our capital markets and M&A capabilities in Asia, and we are thrilled that he has joined us," said Eric J. Friedman, Skadden's Executive Partner. "His track record in advising major investment banks and PRC companies in large and complex transactions makes him a perfect fit for both our firm and our clients."
"We are delighted that Christopher has joined us," said Michael V. Gisser, head of Skadden’s Asia Pacific practice. "He is an ideal addition to our Asia Pacific-based team, as we continue to expand upon our longtime commitment to Hong Kong, China and the rest of the region."
Mr. Betts said, "I am very pleased to join the firm. Skadden is renowned for its market-leading work across Asia, as well as globally, and I am excited about the unparalleled opportunities the firm and its clients present."
Mr. Betts is admitted as a lawyer in Hong Kong and New South Wales, Australia. Prior to being a partner at his former firm, Mr. Betts co-led the legal team covering the Asia Pacific region at McKinsey & Company. He began his career in the Hong Kong office of another major international law firm.
Skadden has approximately 1,800 lawyers in 23 offices around the world, including more than 100 attorneys across six offices in the Asia Pacific region. Skadden was named 2012 “Client Service Firm of the Year” for Asia Pacific by Chambers and recognized by the publication as “International Law Firm of the Year” for Hong Kong in 2011.