The Legal 500

Within Foreign firms, tier 4

Simmons & Simmons remains focused on the financial institutions, TMT, energy and infrastructure and life sciences sectors. The practice advised Sinochem Group on the acquisition of 50% interest of the anti-infectives business of Koninklijke DSM and the formation of a global joint venture with Koninklijke DSM in relation to the anti-infectives business. Hong Kong and Shanghai-based Tom Deegan and Brian Downie are recommended; also in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Damien Bailey and Michael Hickman are well regarded. Davis Wang is also a key contact.

Within Foreign firms, tier 4

Paul Li heads the team at Simmons & Simmons representing Société Générale in defending a claim by a tycoon alleging misrepresentation by a member of its staff. It is also acting for Ernst & Young against the beneficiary of a trust set up by one of its service companies, alleging dishonestly assisting breach of duties.

Within Foreign firms, Simmons & Simmons LLP is a third tier firm,

In line with the firm’s sector focus, the team at Simmons & Simmons has particular expertise advising clients in the finance, media and telecommunications, utilities, transport, pharmaceutical, and leisure industries. Despite Matthew Durham’s departure to Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, which leaves the team without a senior lawyer based full-time in China, highly regarded Hong Kong-based practice head Fiona Loughrey continues to advise key clients on their operations in China.

Within Foreign firms, Simmons & Simmons LLP is a second tier firm,

Simmons & Simmons has a combined Hong Kong and China practice, with newly promoted partner Lewis Ho the main contact in Shanghai. The group continues to flourish within the life sciences sector, acting for GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis among others, maintaining a steady flow of contentious matters. Recently, the Shanghai office has led advice to a European client on conducting patent searches, analysing competitors’ patents and preparing freedom to operate analysis in seven countries. Other work included commencing invalidation actions for a client before the Patent Review Board in China against two utility models registered by a Chinese individual, and advising a leading European pharmaceutical company on potential patent infringement action against a number of generic manufacturers in China. Non-pharmaceutical clients include Burberry and Lacoste.

Within Foreign firms, Simmons & Simmons LLP is a third tier firm,

Simmons & Simmons’ key mandates included advising China Telecom on co-location and landing party arrangements in relation to an 8,300km subsea cable system owned by the SJC consortium. Asia projects head Brian Downie, and energy and infrastructure leader Tom Deegan are recommended. Damien Bailey advises on large infrastructure projects, and Richard McKeown is a project finance specialist. Michael Hickman is a senior counsel in Shanghai. Davis Wang is also a key contact.

Within Foreign firms, Simmons & Simmons LLP is a second tier firm,

Simmons & Simmons recently recruited Davis Wang from King & Wood to its Shanghai office. Hong Kong-based Damien Bailey heads the overall practice. Recent work includes advising Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) on the introduction of a new cloud computing solution, and acting for China Telecom on its new data centre service. The team provides ongoing advice to Yahoo! on its e-commerce payment system, and further clients include Cathay Pacific, Logitech, AVG, eBay and Warner Bros.