Stephenson Harwood Hired New Asia Tech Lead
The firm added Amita Haylock to spearhead its regional technology and intellectual property expansion.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in People
Law firm Stephenson Harwood has appointed Amita Haylock as its new head of technology and intellectual property for Asia. Haylock, who brings nearly 20 years of experience, will operate from Hong Kong and Singapore to bolster the firm's regional practice.
Why it matters
The hire marks a strategic effort by Stephenson Harwood to scale its global and regional legal capabilities. By securing a seasoned partner to lead this practice, the firm aims to capture increased demand for tech-focused legal services in Asian markets.
Amita Haylock brings nearly 20 years of total professional experience to her new role, following a nearly 11-year tenure at Mayer Brown. This transition supports a firm that has recently expanded its presence in the region through previous hires in Hong Kong and Singapore.
The players
Stephenson Harwood
An international law firm with a focus on high-value commercial litigation and complex corporate transactions.
Amita Haylock
A legal professional with nearly two decades of experience, previously serving as a partner at Mayer Brown.
Mayer Brown
A global law firm serving multinational corporations and financial institutions through its extensive international network.
The details
Haylock joins Stephenson Harwood after resigning from her role as a partner at Mayer Brown, a position she had held since 2020. She is tasked with leading and growing the firm's regional and global technology and intellectual property practice. Her dual-base setup in Hong Kong and Singapore aligns with the firm's recent strategy of aggressive lateral hiring in these hubs, following the prior additions of lawyers including Zhi Chao Chor, Terence Seah, Sammy Li, and Samson Suen.
Timeline
2020: Amita Haylock became a partner at Mayer Brown.
2026: Amita Haylock joined Stephenson Harwood.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows a documented pattern of major firms using senior lateral hires to secure and grow specialized practice areas within competitive Asian markets. It sits squarely within the ongoing trend of aggressive lateral partner hiring by international firms in Asian hubs.
Operators in the region should monitor this shift as a signal of increased legal competition within the technology and IP sectors. Expect a potential change in the service offerings available to businesses as Stephenson Harwood scales its capacity for specialized regulatory and IP work.
The takeaway
The addition of a dedicated regional head signals an intent to increase complexity in intellectual property and tech-related service delivery. Firms should monitor how these new legal practice structures impact the availability and cost of specialized counsel in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Further reading
For more updates on executive transitions, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Legalbusinessonline.
