China’s homegrown lawyers step into the international spotlight (Australian, 05 May 2006, Page 28)

China’s homegrown lawyers step into the international spotlight
Glenda Korporaal
Australian
05 May 2006


FOREIGN companies are increasingly turning to mainland Chinese law firms for advice on doing business in China.


While there are now more than 240 foreign law firms in China, sophisticated mainland Chinese law firms such as Jun He and King & Wood are winning more foreign business in their own right.


Still banned from practising local law in China, foreign law firms have to use local Chinese lawyers to provide formal legal opinions. But while foreign investors in China initially sought all their advice from the offices of the big Western firms, Jun He partner Audrey Chen says the Chinese firms are now seeing much more business with foreign companies.

‘‘ Ten years ago people only used the international law firms,’’ said Chen during a visit to Australia last week.

‘‘ You didn’t have qualified Chinese lawyers who spoke good English and shared the same culture and mentality with clients. Of course, they had to go to the international firms.

‘‘ Now we have more local firms with partners who speak very good English. We are getting much, much better.

‘‘ That is the trend throughout the whole country.’’

Chen argues that the mainland law firms are much... read more...