Love gives hope

Buzz

Asset finance expert Simon Briscoe will join Clifford Chance in the autumn, strengthening the firm's Asian finance practice and enhancing its global asset finance group. Currently a partner at Norton Rose in Singapore, Briscoe brings over 17 years of experience in cross border aviation and project finance.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP represented Asia Pacific Land (APL) as purchaser in the largest single asset real estate deal in PRC history. The firm assisted APL in the financial close of the acquisition of The Center, a Shanghai office building located in Puxi, from a Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Group for approximately US$650 million. APL is a privately owned real estate investment, development and asset management company making real estate investments in China, Japan and other Asian countries.

Herbert Smith advised Huaneng Power International, the listed unit of the mainland's largest power producer, on the acquisition of SinoSing Power from Huaneng Group for approximately US$3.3 billion, including cash and debt.

DLA Piper LLP advised Heckmann Corporation on its US $625 million acquisition of China Water & Drinks Inc . (China Water). Stephen Peepels, head of DLA's US capital markets practice in Asia, led the deal. China Water, an OTCBB traded company headquartered in Hong Kong, is a leading PRC licensed bottled water producer and distributor, with distribution in 14 provinces and regions across China. China Water will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. Legal closing of the transaction is expected later this year.

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Voice

Love gives hope

Maybe you heard this story of extraordinary love. A mother, trapped in a collapsing building in the 5.12 earthquake, used her body to protect her three month old baby. The baby survived. The mother did not.

Rescuers found the small child, without injury, shielded under the mother's body. In the child's clothes, they found a mobile phone. An unsent message contained the mother's last words. "My dear child, if you are alive, please live with courage. Please always remember that I love you."

Touching stories, heart breaking images, fill the media. National — and even international — efforts continue to help the survivors in the stricken areas. Tens of thousand of soldiers, armed police, medical specialists and volunteers from around China are helping in the mountainous province. Some are caring for survivors; others are digging — sometimes with nothing more than their hands — driven by the slim hope of still finding someone alive.

With the deaths already exceeding 68,000, we see so many tears in China. However, there are more than tears. Numerous individuals, groups, and enterprises, are donating time, resources and money. Many law firms that are responding. We identified a few.

Donations from overseas
In addition to donations from Allen & Overy's China offices, the firm's London office is sending contributions to the British Red Cross appeal for China . The firm made arrangements for staff in its network of offices to choose to donate to earthquake relief through programs like “Give As You Earn.”

Quilts & clothes
After learning that survivors must live in tents for two years or more before theirs homes are rebuilt, lawyers and staff at Debevoise & Plimpton Shanghai Office began collecting quilts and clothes for survivors.

Psychological consultations & orphan adoptions
Wang Junfeng, chairman of King & Wood, told a CRI reporter on May 19 that, in addition to donations, firm lawyers are going to provide legal services and psychological consultations for victims. Many partners want to adopt orphans who lost their parents in the disaster.

For readers who want to support earthquake relief, these organizations are accepting donations:

Chinese are fortunate. When Chinese people in one area suffer disaster, people all over the nation respond at once with aid and support. Disaster can be overcome. As long as people don't lose hope, rebuilding is possible.

On June 1, Children's Day, LawInn is supporting a charity event in Shanghai organized by BLACKing. Total income from charity sales, toy exchange and donations will go to Rainbow Care Foundation to help broken families suffering from the Wenchuan earthquake. For the details, please click HERE .

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Fun

The contract law professor asked one of his best students, "If you wanted to give someone an orange, how would you do it?"

“I'd say, ‘here's an orange,'" the student replied.

The professor was angry. "No! No! Think like a lawyer!"

The student thought a moment and replied.

"Okay. I'd tell him `I hereby give and convey to you all and singular, my estate and interests, rights, claim, title, claim and advantages of and in, said orange, together with all its rind, juice, pulp, and seeds, and all rights and advantages with full power to bite, cut, freeze and otherwise eat, the same, or give the same away with and without the pulp, juice, rind and seeds, anything herein before or hereinafter or in any deed, or deeds, instruments of whatever nature or kind whatsoever to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding...'"

"Very good,” said the professor.

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Vacancies

LawInn team is constantly working to bring you the best choice of legal opportunities in China . Here's just a small selection of the positions we are currently handling:

IP Manager (China/Asia) – Shanghai – Ref: LPC03704
This is a leading manufacturer of roller bearings worldwide. With over 3,000 staff in China , the company has three plants in Taicang and Ningxia, and thirteen sales offices nationwide. The company is seeking an IP Manager to serve in its R&D division located at the company headquarters in Shanghai .

Senior Legal Counsel – Shanghai – Ref: LPC04302
It is one of the largest suppliers of industrial gases globally. With over 1000 employees in China , the company is the leading industrial gases supplier. They are now seeking Senior Legal Counsel with at least 5 years of experience to join its legal department, based in Shanghai .

In-house Counsel – Shanghai – Ref: LPC01804
This position is a fantastic opportunity for a lawyer to join one of the world's largest energy companies. The position reports to the Managing Attorney for the China and regional operations of the company.

Legal Counsel – Shanghai – Ref: LPC07501
This is a Fortune 500 MNC in the sector of power & energy. It is one of top three T&D (Transmission and Distribution) players in the world. Today, the company has set us a research center in cooperation with Tsinghua University , 7 joint ventures, 1 WOFE and 5 representative offices in China . It is now looking for a high caliber candidate to join its legal team in Shanghai .

Accountant – Shanghai – Ref: LPF02523
It is a top tier US law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 18 offices around the world. The firm has established long standing partnerships with many of the world's top financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies and other leading corporations. Currently, they are seeking Accountant, based in Shanghai office.

or more positions, please click http://www.lawinn.net/service2.asp

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