Fangda Partners has hired partner Michael Han, the former head of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s competition practice in China.
Han - who was at the magic circle firm’s Beijing office for over six years - is one of the first lawyers to focus on competition in China. Before moving to the private sphere, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (now the Ministry of Commerce). Since 2005, when he first started practising competition law, Han has gained considerable experience in merger control and anti-competitive behaviour.
In a statement Fangda Partners’ managing partner Gao Yang said: "Our partners are thrilled with Michael’s joining. We highly value his unique expertise and great client recognition. Our M&A and litigation partners will work closely with Michael and other members of our competition team with the aim to become the best competition law practice in China."
In 2012 Fangda hired litigation partner Peter Yuen from Freshfields to launch its Hong Kong office. In Beijing, the firm plans to expand its competition team following Han’s hire. Fangda Partners has over 250 lawyers – including 50 partners - in its four offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Freshfields' competition practice will now be led by Ninette Dodoo, who moved over to the firm's Beijing office in November last year.