6 December, 2015
Bird & Bird have announced internationally renowned M&A specialist John Shi and his team member Shan Lai as Corporate partners in its Beijing office.
John joins from DLA Piper, where he was Chief Representative. Ranked as a leading lawyer in China for M&A by the Legal 500, and with over 18 years' experience representing multinational companies in FDI, cross-border M&A and regulatory matters, John also has extensive experience in a number of Bird & Bird's key sectors including Aviation, Energy and Tech & Comms.
An integral member of John's team at DLA Piper, Shan has many years of corporate practice in Australia and over 7 years of on the ground experience working in Beijing. She has extensive experience in both inbound and outbound cross border transactions, with a specialism in representing foreign investors in China.
These new appointments will play a key part in the firm's long-standing strategy of growing the transactional side of its business in China and the wider Asia Pacific region. Both John and Shan's considerable local connections will also further strengthen Bird & Bird's regional client base and help the firm to capture a greater share of the country's burgeoning outbound market.
Tay Beng Chai, Head of Bird & Bird's Asia-Pacific Corporate Group, said "It is a pleasure to welcome both John and Shan to Bird & Bird. The pair have a long history of working together successfully, and we will be seeing their in-depth sector knowledge and China M&A expertise translate into opportunities across our Asia Pacific and European offices."
Justin Walkey, Bird & Bird's Asia Pacific Chairman, commented, "John and Shan have earned their excellent reputations in the China market through decades of hard work in Corporate law. Their significant skills, as well as their close ties to both private clients and SOEs, represent a significant upshift in our corporate resources and service offering in China, and with excellent connections to our fast growing team in other parts of Asia Pacific."
John said, "Bird & Bird's strategic focus is closely aligned to my own, and the firm has a respected history in M&A. Both Shan and I are thrilled to come on board, and we look forward to working with the international team to consolidate our practice here in China."
Shan added, "Joining the team at Bird & Bird will be a fantastic way for John and I to work with a strong internationally-minded legal team. I am very enthusiastic to be joining the team in China at such an exciting time."
In addition, the firm has further bolstered its team in Asia Pacific with the appointment of Christopher Healey who also joins us from 1 December 2015. Chris will join Bird & Bird's Hong Kong office as a senior foreign registered lawyer in the Aviation team.
Leo Fattorini, Head of Bird & Bird's Aviation Practice for the Asia Pacific region said: "Chris is a very welcome addition to our Aviation team in Asia Pacific. He has many years' experience of working with blue chip clients in the aircraft finance space, with a particular focus in advising financial institutions, lessors and airlines."
These appointments are all key to Bird & Bird's ongoing commitment to clients and integral to its strategy for growth and development in the Asia Pacific region.
