Eversheds has announced the launch of its Beijing office, opening on 20 May 2013, with the appointment of two new partners: corporate energy law expert Ingrid Zhu-Clark and corporate lawyer Jay Ze.
Ingrid Zhu-Clark joins Eversheds from the Beijing office of US law firm Morgan Lewis where she was co-Managing Partner. Ingrid’s practice is focused on the international oil and gas sector, in particular representing Chinese clients in outbound investment matters across multiple jurisdictions including Russia, Central Asia and Africa.
Ingrid’s appointment further strengthens Eversheds’ International Oil and Gas practice and follows the recent recruitment of a number of oil and gas specialists including Greg Hammond – Corporate Head of International Oil and Gas (London) who joined Eversheds from Akin Gump in February this year, Dani Kabbani (formerly in-house at Qatar Petroleum) – Corporate Projects Partner (Qatar) and Hussein Haeri – International Arbitration Group Principal Associate (Paris). Ingrid was attracted by Eversheds’ approach to developing long term integrated relationships.
Jay Ze practices cross-border M&A working with state-owned enterprises, global companies and investments banks across the globe. Prior to joining Eversheds Jay worked with international law firms in Beijing. Jay will play a material role in Eversheds Global M&A team as it develops both inbound and outbound opportunities in China.
Eversheds’ Beijing office was granted a license to practice in late 2012: Ingrid Zhu-Clark will be Managing Partner of the office.
Stephen Kitts, Eversheds’ Asia Managing Partner said:
“In the past five years, since the launch of our first office in the region, Asia has been a significant and growing market for Eversheds. We are confident that the recruitment of high calibre M&A experts like Ingrid and Jay will build on our success.”
Lee Ranson, Eversheds’ Managing Partner, who has Executive responsibility for developing the Asia region for Eversheds, said:
“The Beijing office opening marks the next stage in our journey to create a truly global law firm servicing our clients in their key markets. We are particularly excited by the expertise and depth these hires bring to our international energy and natural resources offering.”