Ashley M. Howlett

Partner

Ashley Howlett's practice focuses on construction and engineering issues connected with infrastructure and major projects. Ashley has been based in the Beijing Office since its opening in 2003, and he leads the Firm's Construction Practice in Asia. Ashley advises Chinese and international clients on all aspects of the design and construction process, including drafting and negotiating contract documentation, dispute avoidance, and dispute resolution by way of mediation, arbitration, and litigation.

Ashley has lived and worked in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and has been involved in major construction and infrastructure projects throughout Asia for the past 15 years. Ashley's practice is focused on representing foreign-invested parties on construction projects and disputes in China, as well as counseling Chinese contractors on their projects around the world. He recently advised Chinese contractors involved in projects in Angola, Brazil, Egypt, Libya, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.

Ashley is ranked as a leading individual for construction and dispute resolution by Asia Pacific Legal 500 and is consistently ranked in the Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific legal guide as the leading foreign construction lawyer in China, where he is described as "probably the most famous foreign construction lawyer you'll come across in China" and "extremely pragmatic, shrewd and personable — you can't get better than him." Ashley also is the author of the only English language textbook on Chinese construction law, Chinese Construction Law — A Guide for Foreign Companies, which was first published by CCH Wolters Kluwer in October 2006 with a second edition published in November 2009.