BEIJING, July 1 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Edward E. Lehman, Managing Director of top "red circle" law firm, Lehman, Lee & Xu (http://www.lehmanlaw.com/ ) has topped the list of the world's leading Franchise Lawyers. Lehman, who has been a leading figure in the area of franchise law internationally, has consistently been nominated in the category for his work assisting some of the largest franchises such as YUM foods, Applebees and Baskin Robbins enter the Chinese market.
"This is an honor, both for me personally and for our Franchise Practice Group," states Lehman, a long time China resident who has been at the forefront of the development of the country's legal system from a planned economy to the increasingly open and dynamic system that has facilitated China's rapid economic growth.
Lehman originally came to China in 1987 and has the distinction of being one of the few foreigners to remain after the 1980s. "The only jobs for lawyers at that time were in state run law firms so I moved from the dynamic atmosphere of an international American firm to a state firm in Shanghai" relays Lehman. "This move however put me in a good position as regards involvement in the development of the legal system".
Seeing many changes in the legal landscape gave Lehman a unique perspective and a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of some of China's most important laws. This role is characterized by Lehman being directly involved in the drafting and translating of China's first franchise law. "Franchise law is something I have always had a passion for -- when one looks at the increasing trade between China and the U.S. what you see is America importing Chinese manufactured goods but China important many icons of American culture; franchising is at the very heart of this "cultural exchange".
Lehman's dedication to the development of the field of franchise law in China does not stop at practice -- he has also coauthored a treatise on the topic in Chinese in association with the China Chainstore and Franchise Association. "Our aim was to provide a guide to both franchisors and franchisees in the domestic market."
When asked about possible future developments of the area in China, Lehman smiles, "I have heard through my sources that there will be some interesting developments in the coming months and years as China continues to integrate with the global economy."
Lehman, Lee & Xu is a prominent Chinese corporate law firm and trademark and patent agency with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau, and Mongolia. The firm has been recognized as one of the top trademark firms in China by several intellectual property magazines and is managed by Mr. Edward Lehman, a leading expert on corporate law with 20 years of practice experience in Mainland China.
To learn more about us, please visit our website at http://www.lehmanlaw.com .
