Beijing-headquartered Hylands Law Firm has entered into an association with Hong Kong's Woo Kwan Lee & Lo (WKLL) to formally establish a joint firm in the Guangdong Qianhai Free Trade Zone.

Hylands currently has 34 offices and one intellectual property agency, with more than 400 partners and consultants, and more than 1,500 lawyers and professionals.

WKLL is Hong Kong's 10th largest law firm, with a total of 77 fee earners. Founded in 1973, it specialises in real estate, corporate, securities and litigation.

In November last year, WKLL senior partner Ma Ho Fai, and partners Leung Chong Shun, Candy Lau Shui Yiu and Jackson Yip Wai Yin obtained the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Greater Bay Area lawyers' practicing license and joined Hylands.

The Qianhai Free Trade Zone, serving as a central force driving development in the Greater Bay Area, is actively advancing legal infrastructure and forging connections with Hong Kong to establish an international legal service centre and commercial dispute resolution centre, Hylands said in a statement.

It added that the formation of the joint firm will offer clients comprehensive cross-border legal services. Leveraging the geographical advantages of the Greater Bay Area, capitalising on current policy advantages, and harnessing the diverse talents within the legal profession across various jurisdictions, the firm aims to provide seamless support for clients.