The new alliance, which will operate as Wintell Holman Fenwick Willan, has been struck between the two firms after over a year of negotiations. According to a statement from HFW, the new integrated unit will boost the scale and scope of Chinese law advice on offer to clients while also opening up a 'new target audience' for the firm in the PRC. Shanghai-based Wintell & Co has around 20 partners spread across practice in shipping, insurance, real estate and construction.
'As the first law firm specialising in international trade to enter an association in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, this is a significant development for HFW's practice in China,' said HFW Shanghai chief representative Henry Fung.
Wintell & Co's outward-looking clients will also benefit from the 'international expertise and geographical footprint' of its new larger partner, commented Wintell senior partner Mervyn Chen.
HFW's new alliance is the second foreign tie-up with a PRC firm approved by the Shanghai Justice Bureau under the city's Free Trade Zone pilot scheme. Fellow international player Baker & Mackenzie launched a formal association with local firm FenXun last year.
Source: The Lawyer; Legal Week
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