White & Case has hired a partner from Clifford Chance’s (CC’s) Hong Kong arm as the New York-based firm moves to bolster its Asian finance practice. UK and Hong Kong-qualified Ian Hardee, who had been at CC since starting his career in 1987 as a trainee, joined White & Case on 2 July.

The hire is the first senior Asia appointment by White & Case since the US firm hired a five-partner restructuring team in February from the local arm of Deacons.