In Shanghai, Marco Vinciguerra helps lay down the law
He's an expert at moving through the intricate and ever-changing mazes of Chinese law, and can interpret, translate and offer this know-how to Western companies - with the same ease with which Cicero earned his fame as a lawyer in Ancient Rome. We're talking about Marco Vinciguerra: a lawyer, he completed his undergraduate studies in 1991 and became a Bocconi alumnus after attending a Master program in Corporate Tax Law during the 2003-2004 academic year.
His experience in China began in 1995, when an international law firm offered him a job in Hong Kong. Five years later he returned to Milan, and in 2007 he left again – this time for Shanghai. "I entered a firm consisting of Western lawyers (mostly Australian), as well as Chinese lawyers. Everyone was top-notch there. It wasn't too hard getting started, because I had my solid professional training to rely on, and also because I'd already become familiar with China during my previous work in Hong Kong.
Experiencing cultural diversity wasn't a shock at all, but actually made me quite curious." In 2012, Vinciguerra opened a law firm in Hong Kong with an Italian associate: "we are interchangeable for almost every procedure, but we've divided the territories, so he deals with Hong Kong and I deal with China. We don't have an office in Shanghai, but have an agreement with the Deheng Law Office, which I belong to," explained Vinciguerra. Now that he and his Chinese partner are expecting a child, his roots in the country are growing even deeper. But during his free time he enjoys participating in Italian-related activities promoted by institutions like the Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Trade Agency, the Consulate and BAA's Shanghai Chapter. "As a lawyer, I mainly serve companies – and not just Italian ones – that are establishing themselves in the country and need to open representative offices, set up firms entirely with foreign capital, and negotiate joint venture companies with their Chinese counterparts. I also assist with the ordinary activities of businesses which are already present in the local market and have to deal with the complex Chinese legal world in situations like corporate restructuring, commercial contracting, and issues regarding personnel and commercial litigations." Perhaps the trickiest part of Marco Vinciguerra's job is trying to explain China to his clients, because, as he explains: "often they already have their own idea of the country, and aren't willing to change it."
Marco Vinciguerra is one of the over 500 Bocconi alumni present in China - where on March 11, in Shanghai, will be held the 4th edition of the Bocconi Alumni Global Conference.
Click here to learn more about the Bocconi community in China and read the stories of other alumni living there