Sidley has added James Comber as a partner in its Regulatory and Enforcement group in Hong Kong, strengthening the firm’s capabilities in contentious financial regulation, investigations and cross-border enforcement matters. Comber joins Sidley from Ashurst, where he was the most senior partner in the Hong Kong office’s Dispute Resolution practice.
He brings more than 20 years of experience handling complex regulatory, financial and commercial disputes.
Comber has represented financial institutions, asset managers, brokerages and other market participants in investigations and enforcement proceedings involving major Hong Kong regulators and law enforcement agencies.
His experience includes matters before the Securities and Futures Commission, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police.
Sidley said Comber’s appointment will help the firm support clients facing investigations that involve Hong Kong, the United States and other international jurisdictions.
He joins as regulatory scrutiny of financial markets increases across Asia and enforcement matters increasingly involve multiple agencies and countries.
Sidley has also expanded its Securities, Regulatory and Enforcement practice through recent lateral hires and internal partner promotions in Washington, D.C., and New York.
The firm’s recent Asian expansion includes the addition of partners Simon Barrett and Olivia Matsushita to its Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure practice in Tokyo.
Sidley’s Securities Enforcement and Regulatory group represents financial institutions, public companies, investment advisers and executives in investigations involving agencies including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Department of Justice, U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, SFC and HKMA.
Sidley has nearly 130 legal professionals across offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
The firm has approximately 2,300 lawyers operating from 21 offices worldwide.
KEY QUOTES:
“With James on the ground in Hong Kong, we are well-positioned to provide clients with seamless, cross-border support on their complex investigations and enforcement matters, connecting our Asia capabilities directly to our U.S. and global platform.”
Yvette Ostolaza, Chair of Sidley’s Management Committee
“Regulatory scrutiny of financial markets is intensifying across Asia, and clients increasingly face investigations that span Hong Kong, the U.S. and beyond.”
“James’ arrival further strengthens our ability to conduct U.S.-style cross-border investigations and enforcement proceedings in Asia, building on the strong local presence we have established across Hong Kong and Singapore.”
Constance Choy, Managing Partner of Sidley’s Asia-Pacific Region
