Beijing, China -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/20/2009 -- While leading red circle law firm Lehman, Lee & Xu is no stranger to providing counsel to multinational corporations and high net worth individuals, the firm is also known for its role in contributing and authoring of legal publications. “Chinese law is still firmly in a developing phase. We feel that our practical experience enables us to play a role in the development of Chinese law from a research perspective”, stated Ed Lehman, Managing Director of the firm.

A central focus of the firm is its media and advertising law practice. “We are the exclusive China member for the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance”, relays Lehman “this puts is in a unique position to both cooperate with other firms in the advertising field internationally and also to contribute the global body of knowledge on media law generally”.

One aspect of this has been the firm’s contribution to the Promotional Media and Advertising Association’s publication on new developments in promotional and advertising law throughout the globe. “China has seen some interesting developments lately with the focus of promotions shifting toward both general fairness and public safety”.

Much of the firm’s contribution to the guide springs from experience. “We have had a number of clients recently who have dealt with many of the issues raised in the chapter. This has given us a unique perspective to comment on developments in this field”, states Lehman.

Traditionally sales promotions were covered by general laws but in the past number of years both the central government and provincial/municipal governments have published specific laws in the arena. “As China continues to develop economically specific laws are needed to ensure that consumers are treated fairly” says Lehman, a long time China resident and currently the longest serving (and only foreign) of any Managing Director of a law firm in China.

Other contributors to the guide include Thomson Playford Cutlers, Studio Legale Associato and Reed Smith. “It is truly an honor to work with Reed Smith. They have a wide reach globally. They are in China also and focus on outbound work while we focus on inbound work. This provides a good synergy”, states Lehman.