DLA Piper is expanding its Asia-focused transactional capabilities with the addition of two Senior Partners: Sherlyn Lau, a market‑leading Equity Capital Markets Partner who joins the Hong Kong office with a team of thirteen, and Charles Ching, a highly-ranked Private Equity and M&A Partner based in both Asia and the United States.
Their arrival reflects DLA Piper’s commitment to advancing its core Corporate practice areas across Asia and the United States, as well as the firm’s ability to support clients in Hong Kong’s dynamic capital markets amid the growing volume of outbound investment from the Asia region.
Sherlyn is recognised as one of Hong Kong’s most respected Emerging Capital Markets (ECM) lawyers, bringing nearly 20 years of experience advising on Hong Kong IPOs, secondary fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), pre‑IPO investment, and listing compliance matters. Her arrival – alongside a large and experienced team of capital markets professionals – significantly enhances the firm’s Hong Kong ECM bench and expands its capabilities in navigating Mainland China and Hong Kong regulatory frameworks.
Charles is a leading private equity and M&A partner with a practice focused on representing global sponsors in complex acquisitions, carve‑outs, privatizations, and portfolio company matters. He brings particular strength in cross‑border Asia-US and Asia-Europe transactions, with a background that spans technology, healthcare, and energy transition. Charles is consistently recognized by leading legal directories, including Chambers and Legal 500, and has been included multiple times in China Business Law Journal’s prestigious “Visionaries” list.
Hong Kong remains one of the world’s most active capital markets, having reclaimed its top position in the 2025 global IPO rankings. At the same time, outbound investment from Asia continues to rise, with sponsors and corporates increasingly seeking opportunities in the United States, Europe, and emerging markets.
Sherlyn’s capital markets acumen and Charles’s cross‑border private equity experience enhance the firm’s ability to support clients across the full lifecycle of capital raising, investment, and international expansion.
Jean‑Pierre Douglas‑Henry, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, said: “Sherlyn and Charles represent significant additions to our Corporate practice and reflect our continued investment in key markets across Asia. Sherlyn enhances our presence in Hong Kong’s vibrant capital markets, while Charles strengthens our ability to support Asia‑based clients on increasingly complex outbound transactions. Together, they reinforce our position as a global leader in the region’s most important financial centres”.
Richard B. Bull, US Vice Chair, Emerging Growth and Venture Capital, Co-Head of US-Asia Practice added: “These appointments support our global strategy to grow our sponsor-side and capital markets capabilities, particularly where clients require integrated, multi-jurisdictional expertise. Sherlyn and Charles bring deep relationships, exceptional technical ability, and a strong understanding of market dynamics in Asia. Their arrival positions us well to meet client demand for sophisticated, cross‑border transactional support”.
Matt Satchwell, US Chair, Patent Litigation Practice, Co-Head of US-Asia Practice concluded: “Sherlyn and Charles will bolster our market-recognized capital markets, private equity, M&A practices globally, while deepening our cross-border transactional capability. The addition of both practitioners demonstrates DLA’s commitment to strong strategic growth in Asia and our role as a destination for top of market talent. We see huge opportunities in the Asian business and talent markets and are committed to leading the way in the evolving landscape”.
