January 5, 2010 — Vinson & Elkins is pleased to announce the promotion of Nicholas Song of V&E’s Beijing, from Senior Associate to Counsel. Nicholas Song is a member of the firm's International Dispute Resolution Practice group, the China Practice group, and the Energy Transactions/Project Practice group. His practice focuses on international arbitration and dispute resolution matters, and he also has an active practice representing clients on international merger and acquisition transactions. In addition to his international dispute resolution practice, Nicholas has represented some of the largest Chinese state-owned enterprises on significant international M&A transactions, mostly in the oil and gas sector. 

Nicholas earned his LL.B. (Honors) from the National University of Singapore in 1996, and an LL.M. from New York University in 1999 as a Hauser Global Scholar. He was recently awarded an LL.M. with distinction in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution (focusing on international commercial and investment arbitration) from the School of International Arbitration at Queen Mary, University of London as a Chevening Scholar. Nicholas began his legal career at the leading Singapore law firm of Rajah and Tann, and joined Vinson & Elkins as an Associate in 2000. He has practiced law in V&E's New York and London offices before joining the firm's Beijing team. He is admitted to practice in Singapore, New York, and England and Wales, and speaks and reads Mandarin Chinese.

“Nicholas is an outstanding lawyer and a highly regarded colleague in our China Practice team. Our Management Committee strongly supported this promotion not only to recognize Nicholas' capabilities and stature in the firm, but also to provide additional strength to our Beijing team,” said Jay Cuclis, member of Vinson & Elkins’ Management Committee, Hong Kong Office Managing Partner, and International Coordinator of the firm’s Asia Practice. “This promotion is one of several steps we are taking to further strengthen our China practice and ability to serve our Chinese clients in transactions or disputes of a global nature. We look forward to his continued contribution to the firm.”

“I am honored by this recognition from the firm," responded Nicholas Song. "I chose to build my career with Vinson & Elkins as I was attracted by the positive and supportive environment created by people who love what they do. This is a great platform for me to develop my practice, and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the firm.”

Nicholas Song’s appointment follows a period of sustained expansion of V&E’s China practice in recent months with three new lawyers joining the Shanghai office, two new lawyers joining the Hong Kong office, and additional lawyers joining the firm’s Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong offices in the coming months.  

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Ming Li, Vinson & Elkins’ Marketing Manager for Asia, at +852.3658.6425 or via e-mail at mli@velaw.com.