US firm Dechert has netted Henry Wang as managing partner of its newly-opened Beijing office to “bridge the legal and cultural gaps between the East and West”, its chairman Barton Winokur said. Wang, previously general counsel for Shanghai General Motors, orchestrated the legal structure for the company’s investments while he was with the Chinese-US joint venture company. 

 

Wang’s familiarity with government regulations and practice as well as his ability to structure transactions was obviously at the top of his resume. Wang, a Chinese native, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree at the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Languages and worked for the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the United Nations before he obtained his law degree from the University of Wisconsin in the US and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Chicago.

 

Earlier this year, the firm opened its first Asian office in Hong Kong after entering into a formal association with local firm Hwang & Co. It obtained its licence to open its Beijing office last month (August).