Two corporate lawyers who play integral roles in Squire, Sanders & Dempsey’s work with local multinational businesses based in China and elsewhere have been named national partners in the global legal practice. The new partners are Huimin (Laura) Wang, based in Beijing, and Weiheng Jia, based in Shanghai.
“We are very pleased to welcome Laura and Weiheng into our partnership,” said James J. Maiwurm, Squire Sanders chair and global CEO. “It is especially gratifying to be able to promote from within able lawyers who are natives of China and have grown up with us, representing both Chinese and multinational clients.”
“Laura and Weiheng represent important elements of our China-outbound practice, which we are seeing expand as our Chinese clients pursue opportunities in the Asia Pacific and other regions of the world,” said Ken Kurosu, Squire Sanders Asia practice coordinator.
Laura focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), foreign direct investment (FDI) issues, transactions outbound from China and dispute resolution matters. She has extensive experience advising China-based multinational clients on global business issues. She received her LL.B. in 1997 from Peking University and her LL.M in 1998 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
“Laura knows that clients are looking for practical solutions and insight. She uses her strong analytical skills to help clients solve their business problems,” said Sungbo Shim, Beijing office managing partner.
Weiheng advises China-based companies regarding international transactions and competition and compliance matters, as well as representing clients from Japan, the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He speaks Japanese fluently and frequently provides general legal counsel for Japan-based companies doing business in China.
“Weiheng is exceptionally well versed in antibribery laws – counseling clients on issues related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the People’s Republic of China’s anticorruption laws and regulations,” said Daniel F. Roules, Shanghai managing partner. “His Japanese clients also value his strong grasp of Chinese competition law and antitrust law.”
He received his LL.B. in 1997 and his Master of Law in 1999, both from Osaka City University, and his LL.M. in 2003 from The George Washington University.
The Squire Sanders’ Beijing and Shanghai offices are integrated parts of the legal practice’s Asia Pacific presence, which includes offices in Hong Kong and Tokyo, and a new position in Western Australia..
“We recognize that the nature of the practice in China is changing. These promotions, together with our expansion in Western Australia, are important steps forward in
our refocused and ongoing Asia Pacific growth strategy that builds on an expected 125-lawyer base in the region,” Maiwurm said.
About Squire Sanders – Founded in 1890, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has lawyers in 36 offices and 16 countries around the world, and since January 2011 has included the nearly 500 lawyers from leading UK legal practice Hammonds. With one of the strongest integrated
global platforms and our longstanding "one-firm firm" philosophy, Squire Sanders provides seamless legal counsel worldwide.
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey refers to an international legal practice, which operates worldwide through a number of separate legal entities. Please visit www.squiresanders.com for more information.
Andrew Gregory, Squire Sanders, Communications Manager, andrew.gregory@squirepb.com, +44.0.20.7655.1257
Drez Jennings, Squire Sanders, Media Relations Manager, drez.jennings@squirepb.com, +1.216.802.7301