Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer announced yesterday via press release the appointments of two new partners in its China offices. Michael Han and Grace Huang have been elected to the partnership with effect from 1 May 2009.
Han is currently a counsel in the firm’s antitrust, competition and trade (ACT) practice and is based in Beijing. Prior to joining the firm, he worked with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (now the Ministry of Commerce). His practice focuses on the competition and regulatory aspects of China-related direct foreign investment and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
Grace Huang is a senior associate in the firm’s corporate practice in Hong Kong. Her main areas of practice include equity capital market transactions, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate work. She also has experience in a variety of regional corporate matters. Prior to joining Freshfields in 2006, she was a corporate associate at notable international law firms in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Alex Potter, co-head of Freshfields’ ACT practice in China, commented: ‘Michael will be an excellent addition to our partner team and offers an unrivalled combination of deep knowledge and operating capability in China, with fluency in international competition law concepts.’
Robert Ashworth, head of Freshfields’ corporate practice in Asia, commented: ‘Grace adds additional strength to our outstanding corporate platform. She has a great range of experience having worked on some of the most high-profile deals in the region, and will be an excellent addition to the partner team in China.’
Teresa Ko, head of Freshfields’ China practice added: ‘We welcome Michael and Grace to the partnership. Their appointments are an indication of the exceptional level of talent within Freshfields and will further strengthen the firm’s capabilities in China.’