Ropner Search and Lewis Sanders Complete Strategic Merger

Boutique legal search firm Ropner Search and leading legal and compliance recruitment consultancy Lewis Sanders have combined forces, creating a unified entity that will offer a full-service legal recruitment platform for private practice and in-house clients.

Operating under the name Ropner Lewis Sanders, the firm combines deep sector expertise, market intelligence and client-centric approach of both organisations. The businesses were established in Hong Kong and are still founder-led, with extensive networks and expertise in the Asia market. This strategic move positions the firm as one of the region’s foremost legal recruitment consultancies, with a unique offering of both law firm and in-house roles.

Founded in 2016, Ropner Search has built a strong reputation for precision placements for both teams and individuals in private practice, with a focus on M&A, capital markets, banking and finance, dispute resolution, and energy and infrastructure. Outside the legal sector, Ropner Search also has an excellent track record with select private capital, asset management and hedge fund clients.

Established in 2006, Lewis Sanders has a well-established record as one of Hong Kong’s leading legal recruitment consultancies, placing lawyers and professional support professionals at all levels at international law firms, as well as global investment banks, financial institutions, regulators, MNCs and Hong Kong-listed companies.

Angus Ropner will assume the role of Managing Partner, while Lindsey Sanders will continue as Director, and Emily Lewis as an Advisor.

“This merger ideally positions us to take advantage of the rapidly growing market in Hong Kong and Asia. By joining forces, we are greatly amplifying our ability to serve clients and candidates with more agility, insight and scale. The financial and professional services industries in Hong Kong are booming, creating a renewed demand for legal hiring at every level. By covering both in-house and private practice hiring solutions within one business, we can offer the most comprehensive support in the market,” said Angus Ropner, Managing Partner of Ropner Lewis Sanders.

Lindsey Sanders, Director at Ropner Lewis Sanders, added, “Our combined networks and complementary strengths will allow us to deliver even more strategic and tailored recruitment solutions. We are hugely excited to embark on this journey with Ropner Search, and by the possibilities the combination creates for our firms and for our clients. Our combined expertise, knowledge and relationships makes us one of the best-positioned firms in the market, not just in Hong Kong but in the region.”

The merger will see the integration of both teams into a single office at One Chinachem Central, with a unified leadership structure and enhanced service offerings. The business has already started trading, and clients can expect a seamless transition, with continued access to trusted advisors, as well as the benefit of expanded resources.

Ropner Lewis Sanders will continue to focus on high-quality placements from junior to partner level, while expanding its footprint in compliance, business support and legal operations recruitment, as well as the asset management, private capital and hedge fund industries. The firm will also invest in technology and data-driven tools to enhance candidate sourcing and market analysis.