DLA Piper Appoints Paul Chen as Head of Asia Corporate

Hong Kong, May 12, 2014  - DLA Piper announced today that Paul Chen, currently of the firm’s Silicon Valley office, will take up the role of Head of Asia Corporate, based in Hong Kong. Chen, who was the Hong Kong managing partner of a large international law firm before joining DLA Piper in 2012, will relocate from the firm's Silicon Valley office.

Chen's practice focuses on advising corporate and private equity clients with respect to mergers, acquisitions, investments, divestitures and other corporate transactions. Chen also has experience in assisting companies and investors to raise capital in public markets and private placements, whether to fund acquisitions, growth opportunities or restructurings.  He has worked on engagements in a broad range of industries, including financial services, technology, media and health care.

Chen has particular expertise working with the insurance sector and has over 15 years of experience working on insurance industry matters. Recently, Chen advised long-standing client Fosun International Limited, on the acquisition of a controlling interest in the principal insurance subsidiaries of Caixa Seguros, Portugal’s largest insurance group, for €1 billion. This was an important, strategic investment for Fosun and the latest in a series of high profile deals in which  DLA Piper has represented Fosun, including the acquisition of One Chase Manhattan Plaza in New York,  on which Chen also advised.

Terry O'Malley, Global co-CEO of DLA Piper, said: "Paul's deep understanding of the Asia market, strong ties to our Silicon Valley practice and expertise in private equity, insurance and technology  will further bolster our Corporate practice in Asia. Leveraging DLA Piper's global resources, as well as the increasing deal flow we are seeing between Asia and the US, Paul will provide great leadership in expanding our Corporate practice in the region."

Charles Severs, International Head of Corporate, added: "Paul's move to Hong Kong is testament to the investment we are making in our practice in Asia, and enhances our capabilities in a key region for our technology, insurance and private equity clients."