Walson Law Firm to Participate in the CIIE Joint Exhibition Area for Cross-Border Legal Services as the Second COEP Begins

Walson Law Firm recently launched the second edition of its Cross-Office Experience Program (COEP). Lawyers Mr. KHAMPHA SEEHALATH and Mr. ATHIPHONE VONGPHUKDEE, together with legal secretary Ms. BOUNMANY SOYDARA from the Laos office, have arrived in Shanghai. They will engage in professional exchanges with the China team and attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE).

The exchange coincides with the first joint exhibition area for cross-border legal services within the CIIE Trade in Services section. As one of the participating institutions, Walson Law Firm will present its professional practice in legal services for China–Laos cross-border investment and project transactions. This also gives Lao colleagues participating in COEP an opportunity to engage with international business activities and learn about China's cross-border legal services market.

1. Presenting China–Laos cross-border legal services at the CIIE

With guidance and support from the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, this year's CIIE Trade in Services section introduces a joint exhibition area for cross-border legal services for the first time. Bringing together several overseas legal professional institutions, it showcases expertise in cross-border investment and mergers and acquisitions, international trade compliance, intellectual property protection and international commercial dispute resolution.

Participation offers not only an opportunity to demonstrate professional capabilities, but also a new platform for the firm to connect with domestic and international businesses and professional institutions and explore cooperation in cross-border investment.

2. The second COEP begins, enabling cross-border teams to grow through practical work

Alongside its participation in the CIIE, Walson Law Firm has formally begun the second edition of its Cross-Office Experience Program.

This edition involves lawyers Mr. KHAMPHA SEEHALATH and Mr. ATHIPHONE VONGPHUKDEE and legal secretary Ms. BOUNMANY SOYDARA from the Laos office. During a short-term work and exchange placement at the Shanghai office, they will learn about the China team's business processes, professional methods and working environment, and take part in CIIE-related activities.

COEP is Walson Law Firm's long-term international talent development program. By arranging short-term placements for colleagues in offices in other countries, the program helps team members better understand one another's working methods, professional thinking and approach to judgment, while fostering cross-cultural communication and cooperation on cross-border matters.

Following the first exchange visit by Lao colleagues to Shanghai, the second edition further includes lawyers and legal assistants in the program, bringing cross-office experience and professional talent development more closely together.

3. Strengthening China–Laos teamwork through professional exchange and capability building

Cross-border legal services require more than knowledge of different countries' legal systems. They also require an understanding of clients' business objectives, the environment in which projects are carried out and the ways different teams exercise professional judgment.

For the Lao legal team, participating in the CIIE will provide more direct insight into Chinese businesses' international needs, cross-border investment activities and the direction of development in cross-border legal services.

Working together at the Shanghai office will also allow the Chinese and Lao legal teams to exchange experience in project management, legal research, client communication and standards for professional documents.

These experiences will support the firm's day-to-day cross-border work, enabling cooperation between offices to rest not only on the allocation of responsibilities, but also on a thorough understanding of one another's professional capabilities and working methods.

4. Supporting international business through international talent development

Walson Law Firm's international development is reflected not only in the expansion of its geographic reach and service scope, but also in the development of its cross-border teams.

COEP puts this approach into practice. Through continued cross-office exchanges, the firm aims to build a more mature talent development mechanism, give colleagues in different countries international work experience and translate the outcomes of these exchanges into stronger cooperation on cross-border matters.

From its first edition to its second, COEP is gradually developing from a staff exchange arrangement into an important component of the firm's international talent development.

Looking ahead, Walson Law Firm will continue to draw on its business network in China, Laos, Myanmar and other Southeast Asian markets to share professional resources, strengthen cross-border teamwork and support colleagues' development, providing clients with more efficient and in-depth cross-border legal services.