(Bloomberg) -- Linklaters LLP has rehired two veteran lawyers as the global law firm seeks to grow in Asia, according to people familiar with the matter.

Betty Yap, until recently managing partner for the China practice of New York-based Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, is joining Linklaters as a partner in its corporate practice, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. She will continue to be based in Hong Kong and focus on strengthening the firm’s private equity and financial investor capabilities in Asia, the people said.

This would be a homecoming for Yap as she previously spent 12 years at Linklaters, including five as head of its China practice, according to her LinkedIn profile. Bloomberg News reported last month that Yap was leaving Paul Weiss, which she joined in 2016.

Linklaters is also rehiring Carl Fernandes, a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP based in London, the people said. Fernandes will join as a partner in its global financial regulation practice, the people said. He’ll continue to be based in London and will eventually relocate to Hong Kong, they said. He previously worked at Linklaters for almost seven years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Both Yap and Fernandes plan to start in January, according to the people. A representative for Linklaters didn’t respond to requests seeking comment.

U.K.-based Linklaters, part of a group known as the Magic Circle, has hired a number of partners amid the recent boom in dealmaking. In March, Xiaoxi Lin joined its corporate practice, while Alessandro Nolet joined the banking team. Both are based in Hong Kong. Also in March, Linklaters named William Liu as its regional managing partner for the next four years. Liu has been the firm’s head of China and head of capital markets in Asia since 2018.

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.