Former Fox-Pitt counsel targets China

The former general counsel of boutique investment bank Fox-Pitt Kelton has launched a UK law firm focused on the Chinese ­market.

Ian Sheridan has set up the London Scottish Partnership, which will operate in the Chinese legal market serving financial institutions and corporate clients.

“There are a lot of opportunities for UK lawyers in China,” said Sheridan. “It will take time for us to ­establish a proper presence and for Chinese clients to get used to the idea of ­turning to Western law firms more ­regularly, but it will happen.”

Sheridan, who is still waiting for his licence to be approved by the Chinese bar, is practising from the UK and making regular trips to Beijing to visit potential clients.

He aims to build a five-partner team in two years.