Stephenson Harwood Hired Amita Haylock for Asia Role
The law firm appointed a new head of technology and intellectual property to lead its regional practice.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in People
Stephenson Harwood has hired Amita Haylock as the new head of technology and intellectual property for its Asian operations. Haylock will operate out of Hong Kong and Singapore to spearhead the firm's regional and global practice growth.
Why it matters
The hire aims to strengthen the firm's legal service capabilities in the technology and intellectual property sectors across the competitive Asian market. This strategic addition is intended to support the firm's objective of expanding both its regional reach and its global practice.
Amita Haylock brings nearly 20 years of legal experience to her new role after spending 11 years at Mayer Brown. She previously achieved partner status at her former firm in 2020.
The players
Amita Haylock
She is the new head of technology and intellectual property for Asia at Stephenson Harwood.
Stephenson Harwood
This is an international law firm headquartered in London that provides legal services to global clients.
Mayer Brown
This is a global law firm that provides legal services and where Haylock served for nearly 11 years.
The details
Amita Haylock resigned from her position as a partner at Mayer Brown to join Stephenson Harwood. Her appointment follows a series of recent hires by the firm, including Sammy Li and Samson Suen in Hong Kong, as well as Zhi Chao Chor and Terence Seah in Singapore.
Timeline
Haylock became a partner at Mayer Brown in 2020.
Haylock joined Stephenson Harwood in 2026.
Market Landscape
This strategic hire reflects the ongoing consolidation of regional legal practices in Asia, as international firms compete for specialized intellectual property expertise. The move mirrors a broader trend where firms aggressively recruit senior talent to secure market share against their direct competitors.
Clients in the technology and intellectual property sectors may see changes in the firm's service offerings as Haylock leads regional practice growth. This change signals that companies operating in Hong Kong and Singapore could access expanded legal counsel regarding regional compliance and innovation.
The takeaway
Professional mobility in the legal sector often drives firm-wide strategic pivots as new heads of practice implement their specific operational vision. Readers should note that moves of this caliber often precede shifts in a firm's specific service focus or regional client availability.
Further reading
Explore more leadership changes in the legal sector on the People section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Legalbusinessonline.
