HONG KONG, August 28, 2008 – Morrison & Foerster is pleased to announce that Stephen S. Birkett has joined the firm as a partner in its Corporate Group in Hong Kong.  The addition of Mr. Birkett further expands and strengthens Morrison & Foerster’s securities presence in the region. 

“We are delighted to welcome Stephen to our Hong Kong and worldwide capital markets team,” said Ven Tan, managing partner of the firm’s Hong Kong office.  “The continued growth of our Asia Practice is a top priority for the firm, and Stephen’s extensive skills and experience will enhance our ability to advise our clients on securities and regulatory matters, and meet growing demand for our services in this practice area.”

Mr. Birkett joins the team of 220 capital markets lawyers in 17 offices worldwide.  The firm represents issuers and underwriters in hundreds of securities offerings raising over US$100 billion each year.  His strong reputation has been garnered during more than 20 years of experience in handling corporate finance transactions in Hong Kong and also London.  His expertise includes securities regulatory matters, and he joins the firm from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong, where he served for three years as Senior Director of Corporate Finance.  Before that, he was a partner in Johnson Stokes & Master(now Mayer Brown JSM), where he was Head of Corporate Finance.  He has been selected as a recommended lawyer for Company and Corporate Transactions, and Mergers & Acquisitions, by Global Counsel 3000. 

“I am very pleased to have joined the China practice team at Morrison & Foerster.  The firm’s extensive international capital markets network, coupled with its strong presence and reputation in Asia and its high-caliber clients, provides an ideal platform from which I can continue my practice,” said Mr. Birkett.