Managing partner of Sheppard Mullin’s Shanghai office David Huebner is exchanging law in Shanghai for diplomacy in Wellington as he takes up his new position as US ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa.

Huebner assisted in the launch and growth of the firm’s Shanghai office and has a background of serving the community through his work with the California Law Revision commission, Los Angeles Quality & Productivity Commission and various non-profit community organisations including the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “As the first openly gay ambassador named by Obama and the first in US history confirmed by the Senate, David is also a trailblazer,” said Guy Halgren, Sheppard Mullin’s chairman.

Todd Bissett (pictured) will therefore have some big shoes to fill when he steps up to managing partner from his role as partner in Sheppard Mullin’s corporate practice group (where he specialises in private equity, financing, M&A and cross-border transactions). He does, however, have significant knowledge of the China legal market, having practised as a China specialist for his entire career. Prior to joining the firm, Bissett practised in O’Melveny & Myers’ China offices.

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