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Nixon Peabody LLP today (December 22) announced a new affiliation with Cheng Wong Lam & Partners (CWL), an independent law firm in Hong Kong, to further enhance its full range of legal services to its clients in the Asia-Pacific region.
Based in the US, Nixon Peabody LLP is an international law firm with about 700 lawyers. Through its association with CWL, it will have access to 20 additional legal professionals in Hong Kong and the opportunity to provide seamless legal services in the city, particularly in China business, corporate finance, private equity and investment funds, dispute resolution, intellectual property and securities.
CEO and Managing Partner of Nixon Peabody LLP, Mr Richard F Langan, Jr, said, "By 2020, Mainland China will be the largest single market for legal services in the world. Our clients are there and we need a presence to be there. Lawyers from different branches of our firm have already been working closely with CWL on current client matters. With our new office in Hong Kong, we are expanding our capabilities to handle the most sophisticated inbound and outbound legal activities across Asia."
Chair of Nixon Peabody LLP's China practice, Mr David Cheng, commented, "Having a strong footprint in Mainland China is a critical factor in helping our clients to achieve their strategic business goals. In working with CWL, we can provide enhanced legal capabilities to our US and European-based clients as they navigate the complexities of doing business in China, as well as guide our Chinese-based clients who want to invest and expand their businesses beyond the Asia-Pacific region."
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Andrew Davis, welcomed Nixon Peabody LLP's business presence in Hong Kong. He said, "We are delighted to have another international law firm providing its legal services in our city. We are home to 743 local solicitor firms and 70 foreign law firms. More than half of the Global 50 law firms have a presence in Hong Kong. The high concentration of legal talent, of more than 8,900 practising solicitors and barristers, makes Hong Kong the international law capital of Asia and an ideal place to do business across the region."
Commenting on Hong Kong's advantages for the legal industry, Mr Davis highlighted Hong Kong's myriad benefits and services for international firms weighing a move to Asia. In particular, there are no entry barriers for foreign law firms, an independent judiciary based on English common law, free flow of information and capital, and a good talent supply of Hong Kong lawyers who have good understanding of Chinese law and are qualified to sit for the Mainland legal examination.
About Nixon Peabody LLP
Established in the US, Nixon Peabody LLP is an international law firm with approximately 700 lawyers collaborating across major practice areas in 17 cities across the US and in European and Asian commercial centres. The firm entered the Mainland China market in 2008, and currently has an office in Shanghai. Hong Kong is Nixon Peabody LLP's second office in Asia, having started operations in 2010. For more information, please visit www.nixonpeabody.com.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2,100 investment projects creating over 26,000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$56 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:42
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