Matthew DurhamForeign Legal Consultant

I have spent over 20 years working for international law firms based primarily in Shanghai, after originally training and starting my career in London. I joined Lewis Silkin in mid-2023.

I specialize in mainland China matters, helping multi-national companies to navigate a wide range of employment and people-related issues. I also work on cross-border and multi-jurisdictional projects which have a nexus with Hong Kong and the wider Asia region. My work for clients encompasses a broad array of sectors, including banking and insurance, technology and communications, pharma and professional services.

My work includes advising on:

• the full range of employment documentation, including offer letters, contracts, confidentiality and non-compete agreements, and handbooks and policies

• hiring and selection processes, including structuring employment arrangements and immigration issues for expatriates

• remuneration, bonus and incentive arrangements

• overtime, sick leave, maternity and statutory social insurance and welfare entitlements

• employment issues arising from company restructuring and closure scenarios

• employee issues in the context of M&A activity, including transfer of employees to buyer in asset acquisitions

• discrimination and sexual harassment issues

• non-compete and other restrictive covenants

• employee exits and terminations, including negotiation of mutual termination and settlement agreements

• investigations relating to employee misconduct, anti-corruption, sexual harassment, as well as whistleblower related issues

• dual employment arrangements involving the PRC and Hong Kong, as well as regional harmonization projects

• international assignments, secondments and intra-group transfers

• data privacy issues

I am a regular speaker and commentator on China employment matters and I have been consistently recognized in the Asia Pacific legal directories over many years.