USA Firm Wiggin and Dana Launch China Practice

Here's the story from Law.com and the url where you'll find the full story....http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202601703915&Conn_Law_Firm_Launches_China_Practice&slreturn=20130429001249 New Haven, Conn., law firm Wiggin and Dana has launched a new China practice with the intent of bringing several of the firm's practice areas to the growing overseas market. Corporate partner David B. Schaffer -- who studied and worked in Taipei, Taiwan, and has represented Chinese and Taiwanese businesses on behalf of Wiggin -- will lead the freshly pressed practice group. "The primary focus of our China practice is to assist companies and investors in connection with cross-border transactions involving the U.S. and China," said Schaffer, who counsels both American and European companies doing business in China. He also represents China-based companies doing business in the U.S. "Simply put, China is not going away," said Schaffer, who is based in the firm's Stamford, Conn., office. "As the Chinese economy continues to grow and its residents look for opportunities to invest abroad, U.S. businesses will also see increased inbound foreign investment and acquisition activity. "Many of our existing and prospective clients will have further needs with respect to this region, resulting in more opportunities for our firm." He said the practice also largely includes advising Chinese clients on M&A activity, financing, employment, immigration, data privacy, bankruptcy and litigation, among other corporate and commercial needs. The immediate plan does not include a physical office in China. Instead, Schaffer and other lawyers with the firm will be spending time away from home, working to build client relationships. "We will be traveling to China with some frequency, for face time, or otherwise as required to handle a particular deal," he said. "We will also maintain strategic alliances with top-tier law firms in major cities throughout China." Last year, Schaffer participated in a high-profile "investment mission" in China, and the eagerness to plan a China practice has been on his mind since then and likely longer. "It's always been in the back of my mind," he said. Joined by Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill and other members of the practice group, he embarked May 17 on a familiar 15-hour-long flight to China on this year's 10-day "investment mission." The delegation will visit Shanghai, Beijing and four other cities to present investment and collaboration opportunities to foreign businesses, investors and government officials.