Buzz

Dr. Jiang Zhipei joined Fangda Partners as senior advisor following his recent retirement as the chief justice of the IPR Tribunal of the Supreme People's Court, China’s highest judicial body.  During his 18 years serving on the court, Dr. Jiang participated in the reform of China’s IPR law system and handled numerous IPR cases.

Sidley Austin announced that Katherine Wang joined the firm’s Shanghai office as a counsel in the Life Sciences practice. Ms. Wang formerly served as the head of AstraZeneca’s legal departments in Asia Pacific and China. She will focus her practice on corporate, commercial and regulatory aspects of life sciences matters.

Goldman Sachs' former legal head, James Wood, joined law firm O'Melveny & Myers as counsel in the corporate finance practice. Wood will be based in the firm's Hong Kong office in the securities enforcement and regulatory counseling group.

Simmons & Simmons announced the appointment of partner Brian Downie to head its projects practice in Asia. With ten years experience in the region, Downie joined the Hong Kong office from Minter Ellison, where he was a partner.

Pending local regulatory approval, Winston & Strawn plans to open offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, with several partners, associates and other professionals many of whom were previously with Heller Ehrman's offices in Greater China. Winston also acquired Heller's entire international trade practice group in the Washington, DC office.

Three prominent law firms advised on a US$11 billion 1,818 km pipeline that will deliver 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan to China via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Clifford Chance's Geraint Hughes represented China Development Bank as the mandated lead arranger for the financing; Baker & McKenzie's Barry Cheng acted for the borrowers; and Freshfields' Robert Lonergan advised the Uzbek sponsor.

Stephenson Harwood advised ING Bank on the financing of the Hua San, the world's first very large crude carrier built to Common Structural Rules. The vessel is the largest by weight ever to be built in China. Martin Green, partner in the firm’s Singapore office, led the transaction.

Voice

WINTER

The global economic slowdown means fewer jobs in China. 2009 Chinese university graduates are feeling pressure. 6.1 million fresh graduates — 600,000 more than 2008 — are confronting an unexpected employment “WINTER”.

Current research from 51job.com, a popular Chinese job-seeking website, shows the greatest impact — so far, in financial services, real estate, foreign trade and manufacturing industries.

Law school graduates are not immune. Graduates of even the most prestigious law schools are facing challenges finding positions.

Beijing University Law School

Only five law firms participated in job fairs. White & Case and Zhong Lun are two of the highly regarded participating firms. Last year several big firms — including Clifford Chance, King & Wood, Haiwen and Commerce & Finance Law Offices — organized campus recruitment.

“How come I can’t find a job?” lamented a Beijing University law student, anonymously named, ”Rebecca ycj,” in her post on the university’s online forum. Almost every law student is experiencing a terribly cold market.

Fudan University Law School

Since September, 10 law firms posted for interns on the law school BBS. The list includes Greenberg Traurig, Herbert Smith, Linklaters, Salans, Jun He and Huang Shan. Jun He was the only one to hold a campus recruitment event at Fudan.

Under graduate law students are having a difficult time. LLM students are more welcomed by these firms.

CUPL & ECPUL

China University of Politics & Law and East China University of Politics & Law recently organized campus recruitment respectively in Beijing and Shanghai. Only a few local law firms participated.

With so few firms actively recruiting, fear and anxiety hover over university campuses.

With jobs shrinking in the private sector many more graduates are looking for public sector jobs. 775,000 people applied for the annual civil service examination. This is the highest number since 1994 and 130,000 people more than applied last year, said Yang Shiqiu, Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Security.

Some graduating students are deciding to delay job hunting by continuing their education. Some students are preparing to take the 2009 postgraduate entrance examination. Others prefer further study in the US or UK. An appreciating RMB make this an attractive time to go abroad.

Recently, results of the 2008 Chinese national bar exam were released. Fourth year students were eligible to take the exam for the first time. The good feeling of the successful law students will be softened by knowing that they are beginning their legal career in an employment winter.

Fun

"I'm beginning to think that my lawyer is too interested in making money."

"Why do you say that?"

"Listen to this from his bill: 'For waking up at night and thinking about your case: $25'."

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:

Senior Associate (Tax) – Shanghai/Beijing – Ref: LPF08702
It is a leading European law firm with more than 150 lawyers worldwide. The firm is looking for senior tax lawyer to join it Shanghai office. Contact Jolie Hu at (021) 6249-2300 or email.

Senior Associate – Shanghai – Ref: LPF02822
This is a well-known international law firm with an extensive range of legal services organized around several global practice groups. The firm’s maritime team is seeking Senior Associate with considerable experience in shipping related disputes. Contact Jolie Hu at (021) 6249-2300 or email.

IP Lawyer – Shanghai – Ref: LPF01307
It is one of major European law firms with a full range of legal services. The firm’s Shanghai office is looking for IP Lawyer specializing in intellectual property and licensing. Contact Susan Guo at (021) 6249-2300 or email.

Legal Counsel – Shanghai – Ref: LPC08003
It is the world's leading supplier of auto parts. The company operates over 30 legal entities in China and has a holding company in Shanghai. The company is now seeking China Legal Counsel. Contact Caroline Wang at (021) 6249-2300 or email.

Marketing Coordinator– Shanghai – Ref: LPF04819
This is a reputable law firm which is strategically aligned with an international law firm with a network of more than ten offices in the United States and Europe. They are currently seeking a Marketing Coordinator to provide marketing and business development support. Contact Susan Guo at (021) 6249-2300 or email.

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

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