International law firm Simmons & Simmons has today announced the appointment of partner* May Lu, who joins the firm’s employment practice in Shanghai.
May joins from MWE China Law Offices (a strategic alliance with US firm McDermott Will & Emery), where she advised on labour and employment law, investigations and labour arbitrations in China. She works closely with multinationals as well as Chinese clients.
May’s arrival follows that of fellow partner Matthew Durham last month, bringing the number of Asia based employment partners to four. This is part of an expansion exercise which is being implemented during the second half of 2017. This growth will continue to strengthen the market leading international employment position long held by the firm’s employment group in Asia, which was initially set up in Hong Kong in 1999.
The team’s lawyers are spread across different offices in Asia and, group head Fiona Loughrey reports, work as an integrated unit, supporting an international client base across the region.
Paul Li, head of the firm’s Asia practice, commented: “May is the second partner to have joined the employment practice in Asia in recent weeks and we are excited about the level of expertise she will bring to our existing practice. As well as employment law, May has valuable experience in investigations and litigation, strengthening our offering to clients here in Asia”.
Fiona Loughrey, head of the firm’s employment practice in Asia, added: “I am delighted to welcome May into the group, to help us continue to build our China employment practice. Our international client base will benefit from the experience and coverage which four partners can deliver. My colleagues and I look forward to working with May, who has much to offer both the firm and our diverse client base”.
On her move, May said: “I’m really excited to be joining the team at Simmons & Simmons and look forward to supporting the growth of the Asia employment group.”
Simmons & Simmons has been established in mainland China for over 30 years and maintains an enviable client base across its Asia offices. Its award-winning employment team is one of the largest of its type among international firms in Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia. Clients include international investment banks, other financial institutions, government agencies and multinationals. The firm is well known for its experience in the most complex and strategically important employment matters, with high-quality, award-winning lawyers, led by undisputed market-leaders.
The firm recently expanded its Greater China corporate and commercial practice with partner Michael Chin joining from Hogan Lovells in July 2017 and Jingyuan Shi being promoted into the partnership as of 1 May 2017.
*Subject to standard regulatory approvals.
Source: www.simmons-simmons.com
