Freshfields is an international commercial law firm

Although it is common for us to advise on a deal or a problem that is entirely China-based, the majority of our clients are international businesses investing in China, or Chinese businesses wanting to expand and invest internationally. The teams we put together to advise clients often include colleagues from many of our 29 offices.

Our history in China

We opened our office in Hong Kong over 30 years ago and we were one of the first international law firms to set up in the PRC, opening offices in Beijing and Shanghai 20 years ago. What this means for our people is being part of a firm with a deep understanding of China’s political and regulatory framework.

We’ve helped some of the largest Chinese state-owned enterprises list on stock exchanges in Hong Kong, New York and London – as well as on the various PRC exchanges. Over the next few years we’ll no doubt help many more to do the same, from banks to utility companies, airlines to railways.

What you could be doing

We help our Chinese clients buy and sell businesses, form joint ventures, raise debt and equity, solve commercial issues with counterparties and competitors, launch new products, protect their intellectual property, and resolve their disputes through arbitration. We do the same for international businesses wanting to invest in the region.