King & Wood has recently strengthened its capabilities in financial regulation, fintech and cross-border practice areas with a series of senior hires.
The firm has brought in Zhao Ying, former head of compliance and risk control at the Digital Currency Institute of China’s central bank, and Qiu Yue, formerly a partner in cross-border investigations at Kirkland & Ellis.
Meanwhile, cross-border finance lawyer Zhang Haoqing (Elle), who previously practised in the firm’s Beijing and Singapore offices, has elected to remain with King & Wood in the Chinese capital following its recent separation.
Managing partner Gong Mulong said in a press release: “We warmly welcome Zhao Ying, Qiu Yue and Zhang Haoqing to the firm. Their deep expertise, industry insight, and extensive experience in their respective fields are precisely what clients need as they pursue financial innovation, expand cross-border operations, and navigate complex transactions. We look forward to their contribution to delivering an enhanced client service experience.”
Zhao joins the firm’s Beijing office as a lawyer. His practice focuses on banking and finance, offshore issuance of RWA products, the establishment and compliance of financial institutions, anti-money laundering, payment and clearing systems and the digital renminbi, digital asset regulatory compliance, financial regulation, fintech and data compliance.
Prior to joining King & Wood, Zhao served as head of legal compliance and risk management at the Digital Currency Institute of the People’s Bank of China. He previously held positions at legislative bodies under the State Council and financial regulatory authorities. He led the development of the legal compliance framework for the digital renminbi and participated in establishing the legal and compliance framework for online payment and clearing systems.
Qiu joins the firm’s Shanghai office as an international partner. She has extensive experience in cross-border investigations, dispute resolution, and government regulatory and compliance matters. She has led numerous sensitive government investigations and high-risk internal investigations involving multinational corporations and listed companies, with clients spanning the healthcare, high-tech, automotive, new energy, internet and financial services sectors.
Her experience in multinational company internal investigations covers anti-corruption, financial fraud, conflicts of interest, trade secret protection, data compliance, export controls, customs and tax matters.
Admitted in both China and the State of New York, Qiu began her legal career at King & Wood, where she trained and practised. In 2013, she joined Kirkland & Ellis’ Shanghai office and was promoted to partner in 2020. She was recognised in China Business Law Journal’s A-List: Rising Stars for 2023–2024.
Zhang joins the Beijing office as an international partner. She previously practised at King & Wood Mallesons’ Beijing and Singapore offices. King & Wood and Mallesons formally completed their separation at the end of March this year, with the former Australian and Singapore offices now operating independently under the Mallesons name. Zhang has chosen to remain with King & Wood.
She has more than a decade of experience in cross-border banking and finance and corporate matters, and has represented numerous banks, financial institutions and corporate clients in major cross-border financing transactions across Asia, Europe and the US.
Zhang previously practised at Jincheng Tongda & Neal’s Beijing office before first joining King & Wood’s Beijing office in 2011. She rejoined the firm in 2017, practising in both Beijing and Singapore, and was promoted to senior lawyer in 2022. She is admitted to practise in China and the state of New York.
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