Law firm DLA Piper is targeting the growing hedge fund community in Asia by creating a Hong Kong-based hedge fund practice group. Corporate and financial services lawyer Luke Gannon has joined the firm as a partner to lead the effort.

Gannon will head up the fund practice group throughout Asia, as well as act for a range of clients on mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets matters. He will be based in the Hong Kong office and will work closely with partners from the firm's financial services and regulatory groups.
 
Gannon has almost 20 years of experience across Asia acting on a range of funds, regulatory and capital raising matters, including in real estate investment trusts, hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity, infrastructure funds, wealth managers, underwriters and corporate issuers.
 
Gannon was previously a partner and head of funds at Australian law firm Freehills.

"Luke brings a strong commercial approach to advising on financial services, capital raising and particularly funds-related issues, which will enhance our offering to clients," said Alastair Da Costa, Asia managing director of DLA Piper.