Overview
Mainland China’s domestic firms lag behind their foreign counterparts for international practice standards, but local firms dominate the domestic market, and are increasingly seen in cross-border matters. Jun He Law Offices, King & Wood, Zhong Lun Law Firm and Haiwen & Partners are among China’s top domestic firms.
Movement continues between international and domestic firms in mainland China. Former Beijing Lovells partner Robert Lewis went to Allbright Law Offices in 2010, but has since joined Beijing’s Zhong Lun Law Firm; and Michael Yu left Global Law Office for Norton Rose LLP in 2010, but rejoined Global Law Office in 2011.
The international firms also poached from their rivals; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP’s Beijing office welcomed Li Li from Debevoise & Plimpton’s Shanghai office; and corporate lawyers Thomas Man and Brad Herrold joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in Beijing from Hogan Lovells International LLP. In Shanghai, Michael Chin joined Hogan Lovells International LLP] from [Dorsey & Whitney LLP.
By extending their Hong Kong capabilities, the US firms made further traction into China’s legal market. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Hong Kong managing partner Kay Ian Ng joined Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; Antony Dapiran exited for Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP’s new Hong Kong practice; and Christopher Wong joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
Additionally, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP recruited Paul Chow, Linklaters’ former Beijing head; Linklaters’ Hong Kong outpost was also hit when Celia Lam joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP similarly launched a Hong Kong law practice when it hired Norton Rose LLP’s China corporate finance head, Freeman Chan. In November 2011, UK firms Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde & Co are due to complete their global merger, the newly combined firm retaining the name of Clyde & Co. Both firms are already present in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and the union is expected to boost the firm’s presence in the region.