‘We didn’t have a hope in hell’: KWM’s cautionary China tale
A corrupt wind farm deal in Montenegro, a controversial Russian legal conference and the financial problems of one of its most senior executives have thrown the spotlight on the Sino-Australian law firm.
Former chief operating officer for King & Wood Mallesons, Rupert Li, was a mover and shaker in Beijing legal circles before he joined the firm in 2010. Last year, KWM Australia says he was asked to resign.
Late last month, a little-known payments company made an appearance in a Beijing court. It was there to challenge a massive fine imposed by China’s financial regulator for allegedly facilitating more than 1 billion yuan ($213 million) in illegal gambling payments.
The company was Days Enterprises. At the time it ran into trouble, it was backed by Rupert Li, a suave and self-assured corporate lawyer who, until the end of last year, was one of King & Wood Mallesons’ most senior global executives.
Maxim ShanahanProfessional services reporterMaxim Shanahan is a professional services reporter at the Australian Financial Review. Email Maxim at max.shanahan@nine.com.au
