Kewei expands joint operation expertise, with further hire and a promotion in Shanghai 科伟上海团队再添生力军，与史密夫斐尔联营进一步扩充业务能力

Kewei Law Firm has expanded the expertise available through the firm's joint operation with Herbert Smith Freehills with a partner promotion and a new hire.

科伟律师事务所晋升一位合伙人，新增一位资深律师，扩大与史密夫斐尔律师事务所联营办公室的人才队伍。

• Kewei competition law counsel Frances Xu is promoted to partner
• Employment law specialist Gillian Miao joins Kewei as counsel from a US law firm.

In October, Kewei hired top disputes partner Cathy Liu, adding access to China court, tribunal and regulatory representation to the services available through the joint operation.

Herbert Smith Freehills is one of only six international law firms permitted to integrate China law advice with international legal services through the Joint Operation model based in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.                                                                                                                                        

"China law expertise in competition and employment is in huge demand from international and Chinese clients," said Kewei international partner Gavin Guo.

"Frances and Gillian are rising stars with the skills, ambition and vision to help us build business for both Kewei and the joint operation."

"I'm pleased to see Kewei growing its China law capability to complement the services offered by Herbert Smith Freehills," said Herbert Smith Freehills' China Managing Partner May Tai. "These additions strengthen our one-stop-shop offering through the joint operation."

Frances Xu

Frances is a deeply experienced China competition adviser, having worked at both Chinese and international competition regulators. She is fully integrated with partner Adelaide Luke and the Herbert Smith Freehills Asia competition team. Together, they work across contentious and non-contentious competition matters, and are currently focused on the Chinese competition authority's increasing attention on both MNCs and Chinese companies, particularly in the chemical, technology, finance and pharma sectors.

Gillian Miao

Gillian has 12 years of experience in employment law, predominantly with international law firms in China. She has handled investigations, labour disputes, company restructurings and employment policies for international clients in China, and advised on the employment aspects of deals and transactions. Gillian will work closely with new Kewei partner Cathy Liu to provide a quality contentious employment law service for clients working in China and with Fatim Jumabhoy as part of the Herbert Smith Freehills' Asia Employment, Pensions and Incentives practice. Gillian will start at Kewei in December.

科伟上海团队再添生力军，与史密夫斐尔联营进一步扩充业务能力

科伟律师事务所晋升一位合伙人，新增一位资深律师，扩大与史密夫斐尔律师事务所联营办公室的人才队伍。

• 科伟竞争法资深律师徐明妍晋升为合伙人
• 劳动法专家苗靖苑以资深律师身份加入科伟， 苗律师此前就职于一家美国律师事务所。

今年十月，科伟聘请了顶尖争议解决合伙人刘倩，增强了联营办公室对接中国法院、法庭和监管机构的专业力量。

史密夫斐尔通过与设立在上海自贸区的科伟律师事务所开展联营，成为仅有的六家获准将中国法律服务与国际法律服务相结合的国际律师事务所之一。               

科伟资深国际顾问郭武汉表示，“国际和国内客户对于中国竞争法及劳动法方面的法律专业知识有着巨大的需求”。 

“徐明妍律师和苗靖苑律师是业界冉冉升起的新星，她们的专长、抱负与远见将帮助科伟和联营办公室拓展相关业务。”

史密夫斐尔大中华区管理合伙人戴枫媚称，“我非常高兴看到科伟在中国法律方面的能力不断增强，这将对史密夫斐尔的业务起到更好的补充作用。新生力量的加入提高了我们通过联营办公室提供一站式服务的能力。”

徐明妍

徐明妍是一位经验丰富的中国竞争法专家，曾在中国和国际竞争监管机构任职。徐律师与史密夫斐尔亚洲竞争法团队及合伙人Adelaide Luke 无缝合作，共同处理争议性及非争议性竞争法事务，现阶段重点关注中国竞争主管部门对跨国公司和国内企业日益收紧的监管，尤其是化工、技术、金融和制药行业。

苗靖苑

苗靖苑曾就职于国际律所驻华代表处，拥有12年劳动法事务经验。她协助在华国际客户处理调查、劳资纠纷、公司重组以及就业政策等事务，并就交易相关的劳动法事宜提供咨询服务。苗律师将与科伟新合伙人刘倩紧密合作，协助在华工作的客户处理劳动争议，并将与史密夫斐尔律师事务亚洲就业、养老金和激励机制团队及史密夫斐尔合伙人Fatim Jumabhoy 密切协作。苗律师将于2019年12月正式加入科伟。