在认识到天津市场的巨大潜力后，北京观韬在天津成立了其第九家分所，并聘请经验丰富的本地资深律师马克伟和丛英作为合伙人，领导观韬在天津的业务发展。天津分所负责人马克伟表示：“天津经济发展强劲，法律市场增长迅速，为观韬扩大客户群和业务领域提供良好机遇。”

两位律师在加盟观韬之前是四方君汇的创始人和合作人，专注于公司重组和并购，投融资以及知识产权业务。

With the recognition of Tianjin’s market potential, Beijing-headquartered Guantao has opened its ninth branch office in the city, which is regarded as the growth engine for North China.

 The firm has recruited seasoned local practitioners Ma Kewei (pictured) and Cong Ying as partners to lead its development in Tianjin. Both Ma and Cong were formerly with Tianjin local firm Join & High, where Ma served as the co-founder and executive director.

 “The Tianjin economy is robust and is growing rapidly, in view of expanding Guantao’s clientele, Tianjin is perfect,” said Ma.

 Guantao’s new Tianjin office, currently staffed by six partners and 11 lawyers, will focus on practice areas including foreign investment, M&A, corporate restructuring, real estate and IP. “I believe that the legal market in Tianjin will continue to flourish, especially for capital markets and M&A practices,” Ma said.

Prior to his time at Join & High, Ma was also the founding partner of Jun Hui from 1994 to 2006. He specialises in corporate restructuring and reorganisation, M&A, investment and financing and IP.