Stamford – Wiggin and Dana LLP announced today the formation of a China Practice comprised of a team of lawyers representing several of the firm's practice groups. The team will be led by Corporate Partner David Schaffer, who will embark on a 10-day investment mission to China later this week.
"China continues to provide tremendous opportunities for those who understand how things work there," said Bob Benjamin, Chair of Wiggin and Dana's Executive Committee. "David's experience, relationships and entrepreneurial mindset will benefit our American and European clients seeking to expand into China as well as our China-based clients looking to do business in the U.S."
With more than a decade of private practice experience in the United States, combined with academic and work experience in East Asia, David has developed a unique set of corporate and commercial legal skills and a deep understanding of international business and emerging markets. He has represented clients on several cross-border deals with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $3 billion.
A frequent speaker on China-related matters, David participated in a high-profile investment mission to China in 2012 with a group of business leaders and government officials from Connecticut. David will return to China later this week with the Connecticut Secretary of State and other delegates with the primary goal of attracting investment capital to the region. The delegation will travel to Shanghai, Beijing and four other major cities in China to present investment and collaboration opportunities to Chinese businesses, investors and government officials.
"It is clear that the U.S. and China will be at the forefront of the global economy for many years to come," Schaffer noted. "As companies and investors from both countries look across the Pacific for additional opportunities, they will continue to confront obstacles in terms of legal and regulatory issues, cultural differences and other challenges that we can help mitigate."
Wiggin and Dana's China Practice is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of lawyers with experience in a broad and diverse range of industries and vertical markets, including information technology, life sciences, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, outsourcing, clean technology and financial services. The practice will focus on the business and legal needs of the firm's clients engaged in cross-border transactions involving the Greater China Region and offers practical, cost-effective legal solutions in areas such as mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructurings, joint ventures and other strategic transactions, securities compliance, debt and equity financings, IP licensing and prosecution, tax planning, litigation and dispute resolution, export compliance, real estate, employment and immigration. Complementing this experience, the team includes lawyers who are well-versed in Chinese culture and language.
"I am excited and honored to be a part of the firm's global growth strategy," said Schaffer. "Simply put, the formation of this practice will enhance our abilities to better serve an increasingly international client base."