Linklaters has hired Simon Meng as corporate partner from King & Wood Mallesons and Andrew Ruff as projects partner from Shearman & Sterling, both based in Shanghai. 

The new hires come less than a month after news broke that the firm is in talks with a Chinese firm to enter into a “best friends” relationship, with an eye to eventually launch a joint operation in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. 

Meng, who is the fourth partner to join the firm’s China corporate practice in 18 months, has expertise in cross-border M&A, project development, and project finance work. Meanwhile, Ruff has experience in energy infrastructure investments and project finance deals. 

“The appointments of Simon and Andrew are a strong addition to our China team and illustrate our long-term commitment to grow Linklaters presence in China and Asia,” said Fang Jian, managing partner for Linklaters in China, in a statement.