Introduction

In the bustling city of Wuhan, Dewell & Partners is one of the few domestic law firms in central China which offers comprehensive legal services to both major foreign companies and leading Chinese enterprises. Established in 1980, Dewell & Partners is one of the oldest established Chinese law firms. Dewell & Partners advises clients in all major areas of law but its practice is especially known for litigation and dispute resolution, foreign direct investment, and corporate and securities.

Awards and Recognition

Dewell & Partners was named as a Preeminent Law Firm in 1998, 2000, and 2002 by the PRC Ministry of Justice and as an Outstanding Provincial Law Firm in 2005 and 2007 by the All China Lawyers' Association (ACLA) because of its high level of service in central China.

Representative Clients

The firm's representative clients include Siemens, Alstom, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, Bank of East Asia Ltd., Hong Kong Gold Lion Holding Co., Electricité de France, Central China Power Network, Hubei Tobacco, Donghu Development Zone's Development & Reform Commission and Hong Kong New World Department Store.

Founding and Offices

In 1980 Dewell & Partners was established with a capital contribution from the government to provide legal services to clients. Reorganized as a partnership law firm in 1995, Dewell & Partners now has 120 legal professionals in its Wuhan office. In 2007, Dewell & Partners established branch offices in Beijing and Shanghai.

Qualifications and Background of Lawyers

Dewell & Partners provides services in both English and Chinese to a variety of high-profile domestic and foreign clients. Seven Dewell & Partners lawyers have received at least one year of foreign legal education or training in Europe or the United States, representing nearly one half of the lawyers in Hubei Province who have had an overseas education.

Lawyers at Dewell & Partners also have received professional certifications as tax specialists, accountants, engineers, securities-related legal specialists and as certified advisers on the sale and tender of state-owned assets, contributing a broad-based knowledge, which Dewell & Partners to more effectively address many multi-disciplinary legal issues that arise in corporate, IP and securities law matters.

Government Relations

Dewell & Partners maintains close working relationships with a wide base of national and regional government agencies. Among Dewell's lawyers, there is currently one serving in the standing committee in the Hubei People's Political Consultative Conference, three members serving in the Wuhan People's Political Consultative Conference and another three serving at the district level. Additionally, several partners and lawyers are serving as current advisors to the local government.

The firm also acts as legal counsel for a variety of government agencies, including the Wuhan Municipal Foreign Investment Office, the Hubei Development and Reform Commission, the Hubei Province Tax Bureau, the Wuhan Municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and the Wuhan Development and Reform Commission.