International law firm Clyde & Co has extended its reach to Chongqing in southwest China through a joint law venture (JLV) with Chongqing law firm Westlink Partnership. The JLV, which is licenced by the Ministry of Justice and Chongqing Bureau of Justice, offers local law and international services and will operate as Clyde & Co Westlink JLV. The JLV is the first formally approved joint law venture with an international law firm in southwest China.
The establishment of the JLV will enable more effective servicing of international clients with Chinese interests, and will act as a hub for foreign direct investment, advisory and employment work in relation to Western China. For Chinese and inregion clients, the JLV will act as a hub for outbound investment and dispute resolution services, according to a statement. Clyde & Co also has offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Clyde & Co corporate partner Michael Cripps noted that the office gives the firm access to southwest China’s strong economic growth. “Establishing the joint venture with Westlink in Southwest China makes clear business sense. In contrast to China’s recent overall growth rates of 6-8%, southwest China’s economic growth in 2012 was estimated at between 12-14%, [and] almost half of Fortune 500 companies have established substantial operations in Southwest China. Chongqing is the beachhead for the development of western China,” he said.
Over the past 18 months, Clyde & Co has opened offices in Beijing, Sydney and Perth; established a joint law venture with Singapore firm Clasis; and established relationships with Indonesian law firm Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo and Mongolian law firm Khan Lex.
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