Olssen will help develop the firm’s financial services and corporate practices in Beijing and Shanghai.

The move follows the decision of Beijing’s Ministry of Justice last December to allow Mallesons to operate in Shanghai under its own brand name.

A previous managing partner of the firm, Olsson specialises in corporate finance, project and infrastructure finance and capital markets financings in Australia, Asia in Europe. He has experience practising in London, Hong Kong and the Middle East and has previously held the position of national head of the firm’s banking and finance group, and partner in charge of the firm’s Melbourne and Hong Kong offices.