DLA Piper today announces the appointment of John Shi and Nicolas (Nic) Groffman as partners in its Greater China practice. John and Nic will join the firm’s Beijing office and will work closely with Shanghai, Hong Kong and other DLA Piper offices across the region to strengthen and deepen the firm’s corporate offering in Asia Pacific.
John joins DLA Piper from Mallesons Stephen Jaques where he has been the Beijing Chief Representative since 2004. He previously worked at Denton Wilde Sapte as the firm’s Beijing Chief Representative. John is recognised as a leading corporate/M&A lawyer in China in Chambers Asia and the International Financial Law Review.
John is a leading corporate practitioner in the region with more than 20 years’ experience whose practice encompasses virtually every aspect of corporate advisory as well as regulatory matters, including FCPA. His expertise includes M&A, foreign direct investment and all types of corporate structures and operational issues in China. John represents clients across a wide array of industry sectors including financial services, oil and gas, publishing and media, mining, manufacturing, aviation, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and Chinese entities investing overseas.
Nic also joins DLA Piper from Mallesons Stephen Jaques’ Beijing office, where he was a partner in the M&A group. Nic is recognised as a leading TMT lawyer in China in Chambers Asia and as a leading Corporate/M&A lawyer in the International Financial Law Review.
Nic has a broad based corporate and M&A practice with a focus on China foreign direct investment, corporate and commercial and corporate regulatory compliance. Having worked in China for over 10 years, Nic is also experienced in dispute resolution and financing. He has particular expertise in the telecommunications and media, real estate, climate change and clean energy sectors, as well as experience in the areas of labour law, construction, automotive and financial services industries.
John Shi said, “DLA Piper has demonstrated a strong commitment to growing its Greater China practice. The firm has established a credible reputation and profile in the region and a truly global offering which covers Asia Pacific, Europe, the U.S., the Middle East and Africa. I am pleased to be joining their outstanding team at a very exciting time for the firm as a whole and for my practice personally.”
Nic Groffman commented, “I am thrilled: DLA Piper has the ideal platform to develop a full-service China practice. It is one of the few firms that can now combine international levels of quality and probity together with all the know-how of China’s top domestic lawyers.”
Liu Wei, Chairman of China Group and Beijing Office Managing Partner of DLA Piper, said: “we are delighted to welcome John and Nic to the team. They have a significant track record of achievement in China and John will add senior partner capability and gravitas to our growing China team. They enjoy strong relationships with Chinese SOEs as well as multi-national corporations founded on their technical proficiency, business acumen and client service.”
Alastair Da Costa, Managing Director of DLA Piper Asia Pacific, Middle East and Emerging Markets, said: “one of the strategic priorities for the firm, and for Asia Pacific in particular, is the continual development and growth of our Greater China offering, especially our Corporate practice. We see the hire of John and Nic as a significant step towards achieving this objective.”
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