Shanghai-based firm AllBright Law Offices has set up a joint venture with Hong Kong firm Stevenson, Wong & Co in the Qianhai Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen.

The new firm, called ABL & SW, was registered in Qianhai, the special economic zone in the Pearl River Delta which was intended as a test bed for China’s yuan liberalisation and financial reform.

The new firm will focus primarily on cross-border lending, finance, capital leasing and overseas securities issuances, a spokesperson for AllBright told ALB.

The office comprises 10 lawyers, including seven from AllBright and three from Stevenson, Wong & Co.

The Shenzhen joint venture follows the establishment of AllBright’s Hong Kong office – in association with Stevenson, Wong & Co – in November 2013.