Global law firm Freshfields has announced the appointment of Matthew O'Callaghan as Asia Managing Partner, effective 1 May 2025. O'Callaghan will succeed Thomas Ng who is retiring from the firm at the end of April.

As Asia Managing Partner, O'Callaghan will oversee the firm's operations and strategic initiatives across the Asia region.

O'Callaghan has been a pivotal figure in our Financial Services practice and has served in several leadership roles at Freshfields, including as managing partner of our Hong Kong office and the head of our Financial Services practice in Asia. His leadership has enabled him to connect clients across practices and regions to support the delivery of innovative, tailored solutions that drive client success. His practice focuses on providing comprehensive regulatory support and practical legal advice to banks, non-bank lenders, insurers, broker-dealers, fund managers, global investors and fintech clients across the Asia-Pacific region.

Senior partner Georgia Dawson commented: "We are delighted to have Matt step into this leadership role. His strategic vision and deep understanding of the Asia region will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our presence and capabilities in the region. I would also like to thank Thomas Ng for his strong leadership of our Asia business over the last four years."

O’Callaghan added: "I am excited to take on this new role and build on the fantastic work done by our partners here in the region. Supporting our clients through volatile markets and bringing our talented team forward is incredibly important to drive our client’s success in Asia. Freshfields has a long-standing commitment to excellence, and building on this foundation to deliver exceptional value to our clients will continue to be key to our success and growth in the region."