International law firm Eversheds has appointed ex-Norton Rose corporate partner Virginie Deslandres to head the China practice in the firm’s Paris office.

Virginie, who has been working in China for over 25 years, is a corporate lawyer specialising in advising French and European companies across Asia. She has extensive experience of negotiations and has advised large multi-national and mid-size companies on market entry strategy, multiple cross-border M&A deals, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. Her corporate expertise extends to infrastructure projects, construction and tax planning. She is known for her hands on practical approach to legal issues.

In her new role, Virginie will work from the Paris and China offices on Asia related matters, acting as the cross-border coordinator of Eversheds’ China practice in Europe, thus maintaining her extensive network of relationships in the region.

Virginie comments:

“I was attracted to Eversheds due to its vast international presence and the firm’s excellent reputation in the market. I look forward to joining the firm and combining my experience with the existing China practice, to create a strong Paris-based China practice and a wonderful bridge between our European and Chinese offices”.

Michael Brown, Eversheds’ European managing partner added:

“For a number of years, a growing part of the Paris office’s activity has involved Asian and China matters. Virginie is one of Europe’s best known lawyers for matters concerning European and French investment in China. She has extensive knowledge and expertise of the Chinese world and assisting clients in increasingly complex multi-jurisdictional matters involving China. We are very excited to welcome her on board, she is the type of lawyer who we are confident will help us continue to attract mission critical type work.” 

A French national, Virginie is admitted to the Paris Bar and holds a Doctorate in business law. She is also very active with several institutions, being a former vice-president of the French Chamber of Commerce in China and founder of the European Chamber in Beijing. She is also appointed as an adviser to the foreign trade of France (CCFL) for China.