HFW Expands Footprint in South China with Launch of Shenzhen Qianhai Office

HFW Expands Footprint in South China with Launch of Shenzhen Qianhai Office

HFW is poised to expand its influence in South China as it achieves the distinction of being the first UK-based international law firm authorised to establish a representative office in the flourishing Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The newly established office will be situated in Shenzhen Qianhai, which is one of the nine megacities in the Pearl River Delta region. Along with Hong Kong and Macau, these cities form the GBA.

HFW stated that the approval to open the office was granted after several lawyers from its Hong Kong branch completed the GBA legal qualifying exam and obtained their practising certificates last year. This enables them to provide legal counsel on commercial affairs across the nine cities in the Pearl River Delta region within the GBA.

Justin Sun, a Hong Kong-based aviation finance partner, will assume the role of chief representative for the newly established office. He emphasised that the launch of this office marks a significant milestone and an "important step" in HFW's endeavour to enhance the range of services provided to clients.

“The GBA offers great access to China’s huge domestic market and serves as an important link to the international market, which unlocks new growth for international law firms like HFW,” Justin Sun stated.

With the opening of this new office, HFW will establish its third presence in China. The firm initially launched in Hong Kong 45 years ago and expanded further by establishing an office in Shanghai in 1999. In 2016, HFW made history as the second international law firm to form a formal association with a Chinese firm under the regulations of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. This association was formed with Wintell & Co, following in the footsteps of Baker McKenzie's collaboration with FenXun Partners in 2015.

HFW expressed its anticipation of various opportunities within the GBA across multiple sectors and services. The firm believes there are promising prospects in areas such as aviation, commodities, construction, energy and resources, insurance, shipping, commercial litigation, international arbitration, as well as corporate and finance.

Since the inception of the GBA development plan in 2019, HFW has been dedicated to remaining at the forefront of legal advancements within the region. The firm recognises the GBA's objective of transforming into a prominent international bay area, capable of rivalling renowned cities like New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo.