12 May, 2016
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom announced that Chiann Bao, Secretary-General of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), will join the firm as Regional Counsel in the Hong Kong office on September 1, 2016. Ms. Bao’s practice will focus on international arbitration for clients from around the world.
Ms. Bao brings significant experience in international arbitration in the region, having managed the operation and administration of HKIAC since 2010. During her tenure, HKIAC was recognized as the most frequently used arbitral institution outside of Europe, most improved institution and ranked as the third best arbitral institution worldwide by the 2015 International Arbitration Survey conducted by Queen Mary University of London. Ms. Bao has been instrumental in overseeing key initiatives such as the revision of the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules, the establishment of the tribunal secretary accreditation programme, and the opening of the HKIAC Seoul and Shanghai offices. She also has led the expansion and renovation of HKIAC's hearing facilities, which has been widely commended.
Rory McAlpine, head of Skadden’s Asia Pacific Litigation and International Arbitration Group, said, "Chiann is a hugely respected figure in Asian arbitration circles. We are delighted that she has chosen to join Skadden; she will have a significant role in the continued expansion of our practice in Hong Kong and beyond. Since I took over the Asia disputes practice in 2014, we have experienced extraordinary growth in the depth of our practice, size of our team and size of our cases. Chiann's experience will provide a vital ingredient to further enable us to serve our clients. The towering success over which she has presided at HKIAC speaks for itself."
Chiann Bao said, "Having arrived in Hong Kong six years ago to take on this unique post, I feel extraordinarily privileged to transfer into the private-practice community that has supported HKIAC at every stage of its development.
HKIAC’s achievements are a testament to the support we have received, as well as the quality of my colleagues in its Secretariat. I look forward to working with my former HKIAC colleagues in a different capacity as I join Skadden’s dispute practice in Hong Kong. Skadden’s disputes practice has a remarkable international reputation and Rory and his team have been gaining increasing, and well-deserved, recognition in Asia. I am very pleased to be playing a part in the continuation of that growth "
A New York-qualified lawyer, Chiann practiced at an international law firm in New York prior to joining HKIAC. She is an adjunct professor at Hong Kong University. She speaks Mandarin.
