Beijing-based Freshfields partner Alex Potter will be heading back to London next month after a slightly longer than planned stay. Potter, who relocated from London in November 2007 was involved in building up the office's antitrust, competition and trade (ACT) practice.  Although Potter original planned to remain in Beijing for just one year, he has ended up extending his stay to 18 months.

Potter will be replaced by London-based partner Nicholas French (pictured), who will co-head the firm's China ACT practice with the newly elected partner Michael Han in Beijing and Hong Kong-based partner Connie Carnabuci.

Recent work by the firm's ACT practice in China included its representation of Huiyuan in Coca-cola's failed US$2.5bn takeover bid- the first transaction blocked under the Anti-Monopoly Law (AML).