Simmons & Simmons has hired May Lu as a partner in its employment practice in Shanghai from local firm MWE China Law Offices. 

At MWE China, which has a strategic alliance with U.S.-based McDermott Will & Emery, Lu advised on labour and employment law, investigations, and labour arbitrations in China. 

Lu’s arrival follows that of Matthew Durham from Winston & Strawn last month, also an employment partner in Shanghai. In a statement about Durham’s appointment, Fiona Loughrey, the firm’s head of employment in Asia, said she expects at least five new lawyers joining her team by the end of the year. The firm now has four employment partners based in Asia.  

The new appointments come as Simmons’ China employment practice lost a five-lawyer team, led by partner Lesli Ligorner, to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Shanghai back in February.

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