HONG KONG, Oct. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that Nicholas Sheets has joined the firm in the Hong Kong office as a partner in its global Private Funds Group. Mr. Sheets is an accomplished corporate lawyer who brings nearly a decade of experience advising Asia, U.S., and Latin America sponsors and investors in the structuring, formation, and offering of private equity funds as well as co-investment activities and secondary transactions.
Mr. Sheets' practice primarily focuses on the representation of private equity sponsors in their fund formations, co-investments, and related activities, particularly in transactions involving Asia and the United States. Mr. Sheets, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, regularly counsels on large fund raises and has extensive experience working with some of the largest funds in Asia, including in China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia. He represents some of the most prominent private equity firms and leading financial institutions in the world. He also advises Limited Partners in their private equity investments.
"Nick is a talented funds lawyer who has a practice that is complementary to the complex work we do for fund sponsors and institutional investors," said Eric Piesner, firmwide managing partner for Asia. "Nick's strong practice and his ability to speak Mandarin Chinese make him an important addition to our growing Hong Kong office and an asset to our clients."
Mr. Sheets further strengthens Morrison & Foerster's global Private Funds Group, which is widely recognized by both fund sponsors and institutional investors as leading counsel in the field. The group advises clients throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Mr. Sheets is just the latest lateral partner to join the group in recent years, following the addition of Serena Tan in Hong Kong, Jason Nelms in Singapore, and Rob Mailer and Oliver Rochman in London.
During his career, Mr. Sheets has practiced in New York and Hong Kong. He received his J.D. from New York University School of Law, where he served as president of the Asia Law Society; his M.A. from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, earning his degree in China Studies and International Finance; and his B.A., magna cum laude, in Chinese and Literary Studies from Middlebury College.
"Morrison & Foerster has an impressive global presence, high-caliber multinational clients, and a progressive and congenial culture," said Mr. Sheets. "I am excited about the opportunity to continue growing my practice on one of the strongest legal platforms in Asia. I look forward to advising the firm's clients and working with my new colleagues to further expand the reach of MoFo's private funds offerings."
For 36 years, Morrison & Foerster's Hong Kong office has served Chinese and international clients, including leading private equity sponsors, financial investors, and institutions, as well as Fortune 500, institutional, and Chinese state-owned companies. In addition to Mr. Sheets joining Morrison & Foerster in Hong Kong, the firm also recently welcomed capital markets partner Ke Huang and M&A and private equity of counsel Bryan Snyder.
MOFO IN CHINA
Morrison & Foerster was among the first U.S. law firms to establish an office in each of China's major business centers: Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Having advised on major matters in greater China for 36 years, the firm has more than 50 multilingual attorneys in the region. MoFo is ranked in Tier 1 for TMT in leading independent directories such as Chambers Asia Pacific and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Further, the firm is recognized by Chambers Asia Pacific 2019 as an Elite Firm for Corporate/M&A among international firms in China. Refinitiv (formerly Thomson Reuters) ranked MoFo as the #1 international law firm for any Chinese involvement M&A deal-by-deal value in both Q1 2018 and Q1 2019. Bloomberg ranked the firm as the #1 M&A firm by deal volume and market share for any Asia Pacific involvement in Q1 2018. MoFo was also named 2018 "Deal Firm of the Year" at ALB's Hong Kong Law Awards, and was recognized as advisor to the 2018 "Private Equity Deal of the Year" by China Law & Practice Awards, as well as the 2018 "M&A Deal of the Year for North Asia and South Asia" by The Asian Lawyer.
ABOUT MOFO
Morrison & Foerster is a global firm of exceptional credentials. We collaborate across a global network of 17 offices located in key technology and financial centers in the United States, Asia, and Europe. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, investment banks, and Fortune 100, technology, and life sciences companies. We also represent investment funds and startup companies. Our lawyers are committed to achieving innovative and business-minded results for our clients, while preserving the differences that make us stronger. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education for children below the poverty line, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, winning asylum for the persecuted, and safeguarding the environment.
SOURCE Morrison & Foerster
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