After hiring Li Feng, previously a founding partner of the now defunct LC&Co just a few months ago, newly created Shanghai player SG&CO has again dipped into the lateral market, this time to lure Qian Chen away from his partnership at Middla & Partners. 
Chen, who has more than 20 years of experience in finance and securities, will no doubt play a crucial role in the firm’s expansion into new areas of practice. Prior to his time at Middla & Partners, Chen worked for several foreign financial institutions in China, and was a member of the Bank of China’s in-house legal team.
"I like the development concept of SG&CO, which is aiming to be one of the largest law firms in China," Chen said. "SG&CO is improving its legal service for individual high-end customers, which is one of my strengths."
SG&CO was formed through the merger of four law firms – Qinghua, Dongxin, Huali and Guolian – and a sole practice lead by partner Lv Yan in May 2010. The firm currently has over 70 lawyers.
According to sources close to ALB China, the firm is also set to welcome another senior partner to the firm. High-profile international investment and trade lawyer, Xia Shanchen, is tipped to join within a month. Xia, previously with the Shanghai office of Beijing Zhongzi, is a member of the Shanghai Arbitration Association, and the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. ALB
Related stories: