Ask partners at Herbert Smith and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer how they have won roles on so many of China’s big-ticket IPOs of late, and they will tell you it was planned… sort of. It is always nice to appear wise after the event.

But whether it is down to luck or good foresight, there is no denying that the two have managed an impressive run, with the current string of major floats establishing the pair alongside a select band of US firms scooping up the best work.