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John Koh joins Georgiou Payne Stewien in Hong Kong
13 December 2023
John Koh has joined Georgiou Payne Stewien’s corporate and commercial practice in Hong Kong as a partner. Koh has more than 25 years’ experience across the Asia Pacific region. He was previously a partner of Bird & Bird (Hong Kong), and the managing partner of Osborne Clarke (Hong Kong). He was most recently a partner of FitzGerald Lawyers.
Koh has extensive experience in M&A and joint ventures, regional investment and digital business matters, and he advises on employment and commercial issues. He regularly counsels clients in early-stage investments and exits, private acquisitions and disposals in the region. He has also advised clients in respect of foreign direct investments into mainland China. He is well-versed in digital business matters, having extensive experience in advising clients on technology-related matters including data privacy compliance, payment technology solutions, stored value scheme regulation and cryptocurrency regulation.
He regularly assists clients on commercial contracts, including manufacturing, distribution, marketing and franchising agreements, as well as on non-contentious employment matters, including hiring and termination of senior executives, staff redundancy exercises, employment benefits and employee share schemes.
The firm now boasts six partners; Koh is the second partner to join in the last three months, following the appointment of Kareena Teh from LC Lawyers (an EY member firm) in July 2023.
Brett expressed his enthusiasm about the reunion with his former colleague from DLA Piper, saying:
“It is great to be reunited with John, more than 15 years after we worked together at DLA Piper,” said Brett Stewien, who leads the firm’s corporate and commercial practice. “John’s experience and clientele are a great complement to our existing corporate and commercial practice. In particular, we expect John’s knowledge and expertise in tech growth and digital businesses to be a real boost to our team.”
