HFW launches China transactional practice with Squires hires

Less than two months since it hired a Dentons’ team for a new employment practice in Australia, global firm HFW has hired a team from Squire Patton Boggs.

This time the hires – partner Daniel Leung and associate Ren Furong - are for a China transactional practice based in Shanghai, although Leung will initially be based in Hong Kong.

The duo will be joined by existing HFW partner Stephen Marais and senior associate Gordon Inkson who relocate from Hong Kong and Singapore to the Shanghai office.

“This is a significant development for our practice in Shanghai – we now have first-rate corporate and transactional expertise to complement our market-leading offering in all areas of shipping and dispute resolution,” said Nick Poynder, HFW’s Shanghai office head. “It also demonstrates our continued and long-standing commitment to the Chinese market – we've been in Shanghai for two decades and have ambitious plans for the future."

HFW’s investment in the region includes larger premises in Shanghai and the firm now has more than 200 partners in 7 offices across Asia Pacific.

Flexible working is the focus for Clifford Chance Choice
Clifford Chance has launched a new framework to enable its lawyers to embrace changes to the world of work.

Starting with pilot programs for current lawyers and alumni, Clifford Chance Choice will enable eligible current lawyers to apply to take two months of unpaid leave in the 2019/20 financial year, and alumni to apply to work on projects flexibly and from home where appropriate.

Laura King, partner and global head of people and talent says that the program will help retain the wealth of experience of alumni and provide work-life balance for the firm’s current lawyers.

“It gives our people the choice to excel in work but also pursue other interests. It gives our alumni the choice to remain a part of the Clifford Chance family after they move on to other things. And it gives our clients the choice of a wider and flexible pool of motivated, brilliant lawyers."

Herbert Smith Freehills announces new Asia parental leave policy
Lawyers and staff working in the nine Herbert Smith Freehills offices across Asia will now have a standard parental leave policy.

It will enable all employees to share primary childcare responsibilities with their partners or spouses and supports all parents, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or other circumstances.

"This is a significant advance for us and I am proud to be making this change, which will distinguish our reputation as a law firm of choice for working parents in Asia," said Justin D'Agostino, Asia Managing Partner.

The new policy is effective 1 May 2019 and is part of a suite of parental leave support offered to the firm's employees which includes coaching support, part-time working, and a phased return to full-time work for returning parents.