Herbert Smith Freehills' Chinese alliance firm has hired a disputes partner.

Cathy Liu joins Shanghai-based Kewei Law Firm from King & Wood Mallesons, where she practised for 16 years and made partner in 2015. Liu advises foreign companies on commercial litigation, regulatory investigations, white-collar crime and labour disputes in China.

"As the leading disputes practice in Asia, adding expertise in this area was a priority for our joint operation," said Justin D'Agostino, Herbert Smith Freehills' Hong Kong-based global disputes executive partner, in a statement.