French lawyers clear the path for deals

A French law firm is opening doors to European businessmen seeking opportunities in China and Hong Kong by providing efficient legal resources and services.

A French entrepreneur trying to get a foothold in China to manufacture a product, sell a service, distribute goods or even invest, needs to first understand the market, the corporate tax and labour regulations and a numerous other requirements he or she needs to fulfil before a deal can materialise. 

This is where Thomas, Mayer & Associés (TMA), a firm of French lawyers established by Eric-Jean Thomas and Eric Mayer, who came to Hong Kong in 1995, can step in and chart the path through the maze that is China for an entrepreneur. They literally extend a guiding hand and offer appropriate counsel. 

Eric-Jean Thomas says the firm helps to bridge the gap between continental Europe and China for businesses.

His partner, Eric Mayer adds that “the Hong Kong advantage offered by TMA to penetrate and invest in the Chinese market enables French and other foreign entrepreneurs to optimise their project which often not only targets China or the Chinese market but also international markets”. 

“We facilitate the understanding by European investors of the Chinese laws and business culture, and at the same time offer them the most legally secured and advantageous solutions by using Hong Kong as a platform”.

Eric-Jean Thomas points out that the firm provides legal advice and assistance in all business related matters such as drafting commercial agreements, employment agreements, joint venture agreements, as well as assisting clients in immigration related matters, setting up companies and structuring various types of legal entities in an international environment, and providing international tax advice. “As we generally assist our clients in all areas of their international development in the Asian region, we hold their hand,’’ adds Eric Mayer. 

TMA, represented in advertisements by a fencer, is one of the largest French law firms in Asia with a team of as many as 10 French lawyers based in Hong Kong, and clients are engaged in disparate industries. The practice also acts as legal adviser to the Consulate- General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. 

The firm maintains a presence in Hong Kong and France. 

“We have an office in Paris, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong partnership,’’ says Eric Mayer, pointing to the firm’s reach in Europe. 

There are 10 staff (including five lawyers) in the Paris office and 22 in Hong Kong. 

Clients operate in sectors such as retail, medical, pharmaceutical, stones and other construction material, telecom, energy, industrial, textiles, accessories, and even lingerie, just to name a few. 

A great number of clients that the firm serves are in the textiles and fashion sector, as well as in the industrial sector. 

Eric Mayer says the industries ranges from plastic engineering, manufacturing crowns for dentists, humidors, musical instruments, and food and beverage.

In China, the firm has advised clients in Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing, Tianjin, Harbin, Wuhan, and many other second-tier cities. 

Chinese entrepreneurs seeking a foothold in France, through acquisitions or joint-ventures, also seek counsel from TMA. Regulations and rules in Europe are many and complying with many laws is tough. Rules and regulations are not easily navigated by businesses from China trying to operate in the market. 

Eric-Jean Thomas says Chinese clients are attracted by French brands, just as much as the French business people are eager to go into China. “They look for relatively unknown brands that have gone into decline, but have a glorious past,’’ he says.

There are other entrepreneurs from China who are eager to develop their own brands and desire the added value of French design that will in itself be a selling point for their products among the mainland’s consumers who are attracted to all things French. Chinese entrepreneurs willing to take this route reach out to the firm for guidance and advice in design related matters as well. Providing the connections and opening the doors on these matters is also another speciality of TMA.

Chinese business people who prefer French design have the capital and the manufacturing capability but not the style, Eric-Jean Thomas points out. 

For both French businessmen and Chinese entrepreneurs what TMA offers is 15 years of experience and expertise in structuring business deals, says Eric Mayer. 

In Europe and Asia where any number of things can go wrong for the unwary businessmen, having experienced counsel is one way to ensure that they start on the right foot.