The new recruit, Wan Li, is an expert in corporate transactions relating to greater China with a focus on the infrastructure, natural resources and energy sectors. 

Wan Li joins DLA Piper from Minter Ellison where he was Shanghai Office managing partner, but has previously worked in Melbourne and Sydney

He will lead the corporate team in Shanghai and work closely with Beijing, Hong Kong and other DLA Piper offices advising clients on both domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions across the region.  

Wan Li brings more than 20 years of experience to DLA Piper in China-related matters advising a diverse range of clients in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate matters including restructuring. He has a broad practice focused on foreign direct investments into China and representing Chinese companies in relation to multi jurisdictional transactions including acquisition of equity and assets of foreign energy and resources companies. 

Wan Li's also brings strong connections with multinationals, Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs), Chinese government bodies including NDRC and SASAC and large Chinese law firms, which are critical for successfully working with large SOEs in China, the firm said.  

Roy Chan, Shanghai Office managing partner of DLA Piper, said: "We are delighted to be able to attract lawyers of Wan Li's calibre to join our firm.  Wan Li's arrival will add significant heft and reinforce DLA Piper's well-established and growing China practice and help us acquire even deeper understanding of our client’s businesses and sectors."

Mabel Lui, partner and head of corporate, greater China of DLA Piper, said: "We are bolstering our corporate practice in response to growing demand for inbound and outbound opportunities and investment in Greater China. Wan Li's unique experience expands the team's strengths and network as we deliver our Greater China vision."

Alastair Da Costa, Asia managing director of DLA Piper said: "Developing our capability across the Asia Pacific is a stragically important aim for DLA Piper. We view Wan Li's arrival as an excellent opportunity to expand our China energy practice and capitalise on business opportunities between China and Asia Pacific, in particular."

Wan Li said: "DLA Piper has a solid reputation in this region with a truly global reach which covers Europe, Asia Pacific, the U.S., the Middle East and Africa where Chinese SOEs are looking for investment opportunities. I believe the firm will provide me with excellent opportunities to leverage capital markets and corporate transactions across Greater China and beyond.  I am delighted to join this team of professionals and I look forward to helping the firm develop its Asia Pacific presence."

Wan Li is qualified as a lawyer in PRC, Hong Kong, England & Wales and Australia.