SHANGHAI, China — Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has been appointed the exclusive international law firm member of the China Small and Medium Enterprises Financial Services Strategic Alliance (CSMESA) and Joseph Chan, managing partner of Pillsbury's Shanghai office and co-head of the firm's China practice, has been appointed an advisor of the alliance.

The government-sponsored China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (CASME) organized CSMESA under the oversight of the influential National Development and Reform Commission, with support from other key Chinese government agencies including the China Securities Regulatory Commission and China Banking Regulatory Commission.  CASME plays a key role in directing the reform of regulatory processes related to small and medium enterprises in China.  Zeng Peiyan, vice premier of China, serves as chairman of CASME's Advisory Committee.

Pillsbury's China practice boasts more than 50 legal professionals throughout the firm's 14-office global network and focuses on a wide range of areas, including Venture Capital and Private Equity Investments; M&As; Foreign Direct Investments and Joint Ventures; Securities Transactions; Tax; Technology and Intellectual Property Consulting, Prosecution and Litigation; Finance and Banking; International Trade; and Global Sourcing.

Pillsbury serves clients throughout the United States and internationally from key global financial centers, including New York, London, Tokyo and Shanghai.