NEWS | news >>
news in brief >> New trans-Atlantic merger to proceed The partnerships of Londonbased Denton Wilde Sapte and Chicagobased Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal have voted in favour of a merger. The new firm, to be known as SNR Denton, will officially launch on 30 September and will have over 1,400 lawyers spread across 18 countries. The merger will be structured as a Swiss Verein, with the new firm to be composed of a number of member firms, each of which will be a separate legal entity. Baker & McKenzie is perhaps the best-known example of this legal structure. SNR Denton said in a statement that no office closures would take place, particularly in light of the fact that the two firms had distinct geographic footprints. However, the new firm will be light on any Australasian presence, as Sonnenschein has no Asia offices and Denton Wilde's Asia presence is limited to Singapore.
Regional >>
Nixon Peabody names new China chair’s departure
N
ixon Peabody has appointed David Cheng, a partner in the firm’s tax controversies and litigation team, to take over the role of chair and managing partner of the firm's China and Asia-Pacific practice. This follows the defection to DLA Piper of Henry Liu, the previous holder of the position. Cheng has represented a host of US, European Union and Chinese companies in cross-border matters, and serves as external general counsel for a number of large and emerging Chinese companies, managing their global legal needs. Formerly based in Silicon Valley, he now spends a majority of his time in the firm's Shanghai office, which
was opened in 2008. Nixon Peabody currently has three partners and five other legal practitioners located in the Shanghai office. Cheng’s predecessor Henry Liu joined Nixon Peabody in January 2009 from now-defunct firm Heller Ehrman. He had previously served as the general counsel Henry Liu and director-general at DLA Piper the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), and was among several partners who recently left Nixon Peabody for DLA Piper. ALB
新一桩跨大西洋合并正在进行
总部位于伦敦的 Denton Wilde Sapte 律师事务所与总部 位于芝加哥的 Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal 律师事 务所合作关系密切，双方经投票决定合并。新律所名为 SNR Denton 律师事务所，定于9月30日正式成立，将 拥有1400多位律师，业务覆盖18个国家。 合并后的律所将采用瑞士联盟（Swiss Verein）形式， 即新律所由多个成员律所组成，各个成员律所均为独立 的法定实体。贝克•麦坚时律师事务所或许是该组成形 式的最好范例。SNR Denton 在声明中表示，鉴于双方 的业务地理覆盖各具特点，因此不会关闭任何办事处。 由于 Sonnenschein 没有亚洲办事处，且 Denton Wilde 仅在新加坡设有代表处，新律所在亚洲地区的业务将可 能较为薄弱。
V&T launches scholarship for law students Beijing headquartered V&T law firm has established a scholarship program with four reputable law schools in Beijing, including the law schools of Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China and China University of Political Science and Law. Under the program, each year V&T will provide a RMB￥12,000 scholarship to support selected outstanding law students of the four universities. The launch of the scholarship program is part of V&T’s initiatives to contribute in a practical way to the personal and professional development of future members of the legal profession.
万商天勤设立奖学金
万商天勤近年来在业务发展不断上升的同时，始终积极 致力于雪灾、地震、旱灾等各项社会公益事业，并长期 关注中国法律人才的培养和发展。近日，该所在北京大 学、清华大学、中国人民大学、中国政法大学设立了奖 学金。自2010年开始，每年向这四所大学的法学院资助 12万元奖学金，帮助和鼓励更多优秀法律人才的培养。 万商天勤奖学金的设立将使该所成为法学院校社会实 习和实践的平台，同时协助中国法学院校培养更多实用 型优秀人才。
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Beijing >>
Cadwalader hires DLA Piper partner for Asia expansion plans D LA Piper’s China venture capital and PE practice has been dealt a huge blow with the recent loss of lead partner Rocky Lee in Beijing. Lee has left his position at DLA Piper to become Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft’s Asia managing partner and head of Greater China corporate practice. Lee will be based in the firm’s Beijing office, which was opened in 2005 and is currently the only location the firm has in Asia. Cadwalader Rocky Lee has offices in New York, Cadwalader London, Charlotte, Wickersham Washington and Beijing. & Taft
According to Cadwalader’s chairman Christopher White, the firm has a long-term strategy for Asia, and Lee’s appointment is part of its strategic execution. “At this critical moment in the development of Asian finance and given the emerging influence of China, it is more important than ever for clients to seek expert advice concerning complex regulatory and legal matters in Asia,” said Lee. Lee joined DLA Piper as head of the firm’s venture capital and private equity practice in China in 2006. Prior to joining DLA Piper, Lee worked in the Beijing office of Lovells. ALB ISSUE 7.6