22 June, 2017
Expanded team enables firm to offer full practice PRC law support to clients
Stephenson Harwood LLP's associated firm in China, Wei Tu, has strengthened its practice with the arrival of partners Xiangman Shen, Kehua Zhang and Henry Zhu, as well as the promotion of Zoe Zhou to partner. Wei Tu is based in the city of Guangzhou.
"The firm has been represented in Guangzhou for more than 22 years since we launched an office in the city in 1994," said Voon Keat Lai, Stephenson Harwood's Greater China Managing Partner. "Expanding the team in Guangzhou, and establishing full practice capabilities, is fundamental to providing the very best PRC law support to our Chinese clients and international clients doing business in China."
Mr Shen is a PRC litigation and arbitration expert specialising in shipping, general corporate and commercial matters. He brings 30 years of legal experience advising both domestic and international clients on various PRC law issues and is frequently invited to act as a PRC law expert in foreign courts and foreign arbitration proceedings.
Mr Zhang, who brings more than 10 years of experience, advises multinational enterprises, state-owned companies and private companies. His practice includes advising clients on a broad range of issues involving foreign direct investment, cross-border M&A and international trade. He has represented Chinese companies in anti-dumping proceedings before the U.S.
Mr Shen and Mr Zhang join Wei Tu from Wang Jing & Co.
Mr Zhu's practice is focused on dispute resolution, and he brings more than 15 years of experience supporting clients in court litigations and arbitrations across mainland China and Hong Kong. He has a wide range of experience in dry shipping and international trade, charter parties, marine and non-marine insurance, cargo forwarding, financial facilities and commercial disputes. He joins Wei Tu from Rolmax.
Ms Zhou specialises in corporate law and advises in relation to mergers and acquisitions, overseas listings, private equity, foreign direct investment and general corporate matters. She has an international client base and has represented overseas companies in the PRC courts in relation to commercial disputes, intellectual property infringement and employment matters.
"The addition of Xiangman, Kehua and Henry, as well as the promotion of Zoe – lawyers of such high pedigree – represents an important landmark in the development of our office," said Wei Tu managing partner Xianming Lu. "Their extensive knowledge and experience will complement our existing practice and enable us to provide an enhanced level of service to clients."
Wei Tu was established in 2014 by former colleagues of Stephenson Harwood and the 'Stephenson Harwood – Wei Tu (China) Association' was launched in 2016 under the CEPA* arrangements. The full practice association allows Stephenson Harwood to offer Hong Kong, English and PRC law advice to clients.
* Wei Tu (a PRC law firm registered in Guangzhou) and Stephenson Harwood (a law firm registered in Hong Kong) are in a CEPA association under the name “Stephenson Harwood – Wei Tu (China) Association”. CEPA (Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement) is a free trade agreement between Mainland China and Hong Kong. Under CEPA, Hong Kong based law firms are permitted to operate in association with Mainland Chinese law firms to provide comprehensive legal services in Mainland China governed by Chinese and non-Chinese laws.
