Michael Sheng – Associate, Shanghai
"I thrive on new challenges. It’s what makes Freshfields such good fun. Working in China puts you at the heart of the action. With new laws constantly being developed, our team operates at the cutting edge of change.
We always try to understand our clients’ business and then deliver the commercial and practical advice they need. That’s so important in China. Where there is a lack of legal clarity, we have to emphasise what usually happens in practice.
My speciality is mergers and acquisitions, and I felt Freshfields was the best international law firm in this area. So it was the ideal place to start my career. When working on transactions, it’s easy to overlook the talents of your colleagues and the quality of our clients. When I remind myself, I feel fortunate and privileged to be in such good company.
Although I was born in Shanghai, I moved to Australia when I was twelve. Returning here meant making some small adjustments to adapt to the culture, but I love the place. Shanghai is fast-paced, energetic, and ideal for young people seeking a new career.
Since day one, I’ve received a lot of support. There’s training every Monday morning and conferences and seminars on new developments take place regularly. The office environment is fun too. We have a football team and take social trips to towns near Shanghai. But the focus is always on working hard. We try to understand our clients’ issues and provide practical solutions to them."
Michael Sheng
Associate, Shanghai
Melbourne University – Law and Commerce
Joined: as an associate in February 2006