In a bid to secure its long-term commitment to China, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has launched a joint operation with Chinese law firm Kewei in Shanghai, becoming the sixth international law firm to be permitted to integrate international and PRC legal services in Shanghai Free-Trade Zone.  The tie-up allows HSF to gain access to Chinese law capability.

The joint operation will rebrand as Herbert Smith Freehills Kewei and, initially, will be in cross-border banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution and financial services regulatory practice. The 20-lawyer firm Kewei was launched in 1995.

HSF, with 30-year understanding of China business, has more than 300 lawyers in the region. In August 2016, the firm has become the first western firm to open an alternative legal services hub in China. According to some sources, as part of the deal, Kewei has also absorbed the hub into its own managed services business. 

Shanghai authorities allowed global law firms entering into joint operations with PRC firms on the mainland in 2014. Since then, Baker McKenzie partnered with Fenxun Partners in April 2015, followed by HFW’s alliance with Wintell & Co in April 2016 and Hogan Lovells’ partnership with Fujian Fidelity Law Firm in October 2016, and Ashurst’s joint operation with Guantao in January 2018. The most recent tie-up comes from Linklaters and its China ally Zhao Sheng in May 2019.

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