Locations
International law firm Fieldfisher has expanded its Chinese operation with a new office in Guangzhou and the hiring of three partners and four associates from Geenen Law Office.
Guangzhou is the third Fieldfisher office in China following Beijing in November 2016 and Shanghai in February 2017. For its latest financial results for 2017-18, China was one of Fieldfisher's fastest growing jurisdictions.
The new partners include Zhongran Lian who specializes in commercial arbitration and litigation with over 30 years of experience advising both state owned and private companies. She also advises foreign clients on the recognition and enforcement of foreign court decisions and arbitration awards in China.
Partner Kuan Liu also specializes in commercial arbitration and litigation and has more than 20 years of trial and enforcement experience in both civil and commercial cases. His practice includes both civil and commercial litigation, arbitration and enforcement.
Connie Wong is a partner specializing in corporate law and has extensive experience advising on both inbound and outbound cross-border investments. She has advised foreign investors cooperating with Chinese state-owned enterprises, public companies, and private companies during the establishment of joint ventures, increases of share and capital, and equity transfers. Connie also specializes in commercial disputes as an arbitrator of the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission.
Fieldfisher has its own practice license issued by China’s Ministry of Justice and is allowed to advise clients on both contentious and non-contentious work in the country. Its China practices cover most commercial areas with a particular focus on antitrust, corporate, IP, data protection and privacy, labour law and litigation. Its specialist sectors include aviation, automotive, education, medical devices, pharmaceutical, retail and TMT.
The Guangzhou office will focus on legal matters relating to corporate, M&A, dispute resolution and IP and will assist clients in the real estate, automotive, aviation, media, internet, energy and entertainment sectors.
Zhaofeng Zhou, Managing Partner, Fieldfisher China, said: "Guangzhou is one of China's four first tier cities with the others being Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. It is the capital city of Guangdong province which has a GDP similar Spain. It is a major commercial and manufacturing hub and is home to companies from many of our key sectors including automotive and biotechnology. Our new partners and associates bring with them a huge amount of experience and we are looking forward to working together both in China and with Fieldfisher colleagues from around the world."
Michael Chissick, Managing Partner, Fieldfisher, said: "Fieldfisher China has been incredibly successful and has exceeded our expectations. Unlike other international firms' representative Chinese offices, we are able to advise both local and international clients on contentious and non-contentious matters. This has given us a competitive edge."
Including Guangzhou, Fieldfisher China now comprises 14 partners and 21 lawyers and paralegals along with support staff.
These are internationally-focused lawyers who have experience of working at other international firms, working or studying abroad, meaning they are well placed to advise local and international clients on operations in China and, with the support of the wider Fieldfisher network, around the world.
Fieldfisher Guangzhou is based at Unit 802, Tower A, Victory Plaza, No.103 West Tiyu Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510620, P.R. China