UK-based law firm Ince Group has forged another alliance to expand its Asian operations.
The company said on Tuesday it had agreed a strategic cooperation deal with China's W&H Law Firm to formalise their working relationship.
The move allows both firms to offer expert legal advice to the increasing number of Chinese enterprises that are investing overseas.
W&H was set up in 1995 and is now one of China’s top-10 largest law firms, with more than 2,000 lawyers across over 30 offices.
Key locations include Beijing and Shanghai, plus overseas bases in Tokyo, Sydney, the US and Hanoi in Vietnam.
Win-win deal
Ince's staff will help W&H on international legal matters, while W&H gives Ince clients access to specialised Chinese advice.
"Both firms have worked together on numerous occasions previously, on complex issues such as cross-border transactions and disputes, as well as cases concerning projects within Greater China," Ince said.
The move follows Ince's takeover of alliance partner Incisive Law in Singapore in June.
The global law firm described that move as a "consolidation" by local unit Ince & Co Singapore.
Ince Group chief executive Adrian Biles added on Tuesday: "Entering into a strategic cooperation with W&H Law Firm marks a significant chapter in the growth of our business.
"Ince has recognised the importance of Asia for a number of years — with its existing presence in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore — and has today taken a further step in strengthening our global footprint."
Asian recruitment
Ince has been beefing up its operations in Asia, hiring multilingual expert litigator Bonita Chan and commercial litigator Zhao Rong Ooi as partners in Hong Kong.
The Singapore office has also been bolstered with four partner hires.
"During the past few years in China, I have been assessing local legal firms to identify the right fit for Ince to enter into a strategic cooperation with," said Paul Ho, Ince's head of Greater China.
"In W&H Law Firm, we have found a firm with the same values, ethos and a commitment to high-quality service to clients that closely align with our own. "
Zhang Xiaowei, founder and chairman of W&H Law Firm, added that Ince's level of international expertise is sought after by his firm's clients.
"We look forward to continuing to support Ince and their clients on local matters relating to China," he said.
