Shanghai free trade zone boost for Hogan Lovells and Fidelity
14 October 2016
Leading global law firm Hogan Lovells and Fujian Fidelity Law Firm ("Fidelity") have entered into a formal association in the China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone ("Shanghai FTZ"). This move reflects the firm's growth strategy in Asia and the importance of the region to many of the firm's global clients.
Fidelity was established in 1989 and is one of the largest law firms in the Fujian province. The firm has around 170 lawyers and covers a wide range of legal services, but has a particularly strong track record in corporate and M&A, insolvency and liquidation, financial securities, real estate and construction, and arbitration and litigation work. They currently have seven offices, including the one within the Shanghai FTZ. Hogan Lovells partners Andrew McGinty and Zhen (Katie) Feng will be leading the relationship with Fidelity and the promotion of the joint services from the two firms to clients.
Hogan Lovells has been actively following recent developments in the Shanghai FTZ and is only the third international law firm to enter into an association in the Shanghai FTZ.
Patrick Sherrington, Asia Pacific and Middle East Regional Managing Partner, said:
"This is an exciting time in Asia. The establishment of the China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone by the Chinese government and the implementation of the new rules allowing foreign law firms in China to team up with a Chinese firm have dramatically changed the landscape. We see the association as a value driver for many of our clients whose needs are increasingly complex in this market. Multinationals have been quick to demonstrate their interest in the industry-specific liberalization policies within the Shanghai FTZ, while other investors have been drawn in by the simplified approval procedures. We look forward to serving these and other international and local clients, particularly those seeking to invest overseas. Fidelity is a high quality, innovative and well-respected firm."
Steve Immelt, CEO of Hogan Lovells added:
"Asia is critical to our global strategy and the Shanghai FTZ offers an exciting opportunity to expand our service offering in the region. The landscape is moving quickly there – so we need to be on the ground to cater for the increasingly complex needs of our clients in this market. We are excited about the prospects of our collaboration with Fidelity."
Wang Ping, Managing Partner at Fidelity's new Shanghai FTZ office, added:
"We've been looking forward to this moment for quite some time. As Fidelity has been entrenched in Fujian for many years, the establishment of a branch in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone—the most important commercial center in the country—is our first foray outside of the Fujian Province. This is a critical step toward Fidelity becoming a large and significant national firm. We are very honored to be launching an association with Hogan Lovells, as we'll be able to draw on each other's strengths to fully realize our potential and to offer our clients a high-quality, professional, and seamless service. Furthermore, the association will give Fidelity even more opportunities to learn from a large, global law firm like Hogan Lovells and allow us to grow. We firmly believe that the association between Fidelity and Hogan Lovells will be a success, and will serve as an exemplary collaboration between a Chinese and foreign law firm."
About Hogan Lovells and Hogan Lovells in Asia
Hogan Lovells is a top 10 global legal practice with over 50 offices, 850 partners, and 2,500 lawyers throughout the world.
Hogan Lovells has one of the strongest networks in Asia, with over 250 lawyers, including over 60 partners, based in our offices in Beijing, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Ulaanbaatar. Hogan Lovells is the fourth largest international firm in China. In Singapore, we operate as a joint law venture with leading Singapore firm, Lee & Lee. We are the first international law firm with permanent representation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We also have recently established a presence in Australia and Indonesia, the latter through an association with Dewi Negara Fachri & Partners (DNFP).
We are one of the few international law firms in China with genuine multi-disciplinary industry skills in the financial institutions, infrastructure, life sciences, real estate, technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors, in each of which we are recognized leaders. This association forms part of our ambitious plans for growth within the region.
For more information about Hogan Lovells, the partners and their qualifications, see www.hoganlovells.com.