Shanghai-based law firm Wintell & Co has established its first overseas branch in Singapore following approval from the city-state’s Ministry of Law.

Founded in 2005, Wintell initially focused on shipping and maritime law. It currently has more than 500 lawyers across its 15 domestic offices, and has been part of a joint operation in Shanghai with HFW since 2016.

Earlier this year, Wintell had entered into an association with Singapore boutique Damodara Ong. The new Singapore office will be led by director Chen Youmu and partner Wang Yan, and provide legal services in the areas of international investment, international arbitration, international trade, family finance, artificial intelligence, shipping, capital markets, compliance, and criminal law.

A press release from the firm said that Wintell aimed to deepen its cooperation and integration with top local legal service providers in Southeast Asia and build an extensive service network covering the major countries of ASEAN and the Maritime Silk Road, to provide one-stop legal services for Chinese enterprises going global.