Washington, D.C.-based Covington & Burling has hired an intellectual property litigation partner in Beijing.

Ran Ruixue, who was most recently a partner at China's Jun He Law Offices, specializes in Section 337 investigations and is one of the first Chinese lawyers practicing in that area. Section 337 (of Tariff Act of 1930) investigations refer to the U.S. International Trade Commission investigations into unfair competition involving patents, trademarks or trade secret infringement claims. Ran, qualified in both China and New York, has successfully represented Chinese companies before the ITC and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in investigations and cases brought by foreign entities. She will continue her practice advising Chinese companies at Covington.

In a release, Tim Stratford, managing partner of the firm's Beijing office, noted that Ran's hire reflects the firm's growing emphasis on the China market: “As Chinese-based technology companies continue their ascent on the global stage, and the Chinese market's importance for global companies keeps on growing, [her] experience will be invaluable to many of our clients.” Covington has represented Chinese companies including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and Ningbo Beifa Group Co. Ltd. on Section 337 claims.