After nearly two decades at Shearman & Sterling, finance law expert Mei Lian moved to fast-growing Paul Hastings at the start of the pandemic. Not the easiest time to join a firm, but in just over two years and Lian found herself at the helm of the London office alongside other newbie Ross Anderson. With the office expanding at a considerable rate, Lian has been dividing her time between the day job of advising her clients, and ensuring a large group of fresh-faced joiners feel properly integrated. It’s unlikely that the firm’s growth will stop this year.
Lian’s own work is varied, advising on financing matters for funds and complex distressed situations. At present, she’s got her hands full advising on a long-sought-after restructuring plan for Chilean salmon company Nova Austral, while a hefty mandate last year saw her work with Carlyle, Goldman Sachs and LGT on the financing for Apex Group’s £1.5bn acquisition of Sanne Group. These areas of expertise, along with a developing Greek practice for clients such as doValue, means Lian is constantly on call as Paul Hastings extends its London reach.