HSF hires new projects and disputes partners in China

Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has hired three new projects and disputes partners in China, as the country moves forward with its colossal “Belt and Road” initiative.

The US$900bn initiative is aimed at boosting trade, investments, and cooperation along the historic Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road corridors, which stretch from Europe to Southeast Asia.

HSF has captured a “healthy” amount of Chinese project and investment work generated by the project, according to HSF CEO Mark Rigotti.

The new appointments are:

• Hew Kian Heong, an international construction and infrastructure disputes lawyer based in China. HSF said the lawyer regularly acts for Chinese and international clients in complex cross-border disputes.
• Ellen Zhang, lawyer in the Chinese PPP and outbound investment market. According to the firm, Zhang advises Chinese companies on complex project development, investment and financing overseas, particularly in the power and infrastructure sectors.
• Michelle Li, lawyer with a “strong reputation” in construction and infrastructure disputes, particularly advising Chinese state-owned enterprises on a broad range of project implementation issues and disputes arising from overseas projects.

According to the firm, the appointments will expand its Greater China team to 27 partners and over 170 other legal professionals in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

"The massive scale of the 'Belt and Road' initiative is generating huge numbers of infrastructure projects across Asia and beyond – and every new project also has the potential for complex disputes," said Justin D'Agostino, managing partner, Asia.


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