Herbert Smith's Shanghai office has advised Arkema, a French chemical company listed on Euronext Paris, on its US$365 million acquisition of two Chinese chemical companies, which significantly strengthen its position in the polyamide and sebacic acid markets.

Zhong Lun Law Firm is pleased to announce that Mr. Zhang Mingjie has recently joined the law firm’s Shanghai office as partner in the International Practice. Mr. Zhang was a senior partner of Boss & Young Attorneys at Law before the joining.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP is advising China Real Estate Information Corporation (NASDAQ: CRIC), on a going-private transaction which will result in its being taken private by its controlling shareholder, E-House (China) Holdings Limited (NYSE: EJ). Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, which was entered into on December 28, 2011, by and among CRIC, E-House and a newly formed subsidiary of E-House, each of CRIC’s ordinary shares will be converted into the right to receive US$1.75, without interest, and 0.6 E-House ordinary shares, except for shares held by E-House and certain other excluded parties, which will be cancelled in the merger for no consideration. The transaction is expected to close around the middle of 2012 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by CRIC’s shareholders.

Cooley LLP announced today that it has opened an office in Shanghai, China. The office extends the firm's market leadership in advising innovative companies and investors in sectors spanning software, hardware and mobile technology, digital and social media, life sciences and clean energy into one of the world's most dynamic and essential  markets.