The early exit of Morgan Lewis from Shenzhen in less than two years has surprised legal circles, especially when a booming tech sector has attracted foreign law firms to set up shop in the city, focusing on IP and dispute resolution. The Morgan Lewis lawyers at the Shenzhen branch were former head Shaobin Zhu (朱韶斌) and managing associate Tang Bo. Zhu, who previously led Morgan Lewis’ China IP team, joined DLA Piper’s Seattle outfit in November last year. Tang, who left in September 2024, joined Shenzhen-based PurpleVine IP. Gary Li, the legal head of Shenzhen-based Hive Box, said Shenzhen companies’ legal expenses may not be enough to support the operations of foreign law firms. “Under the current situation, companies have been reducing costs and increasing efficiency, which means their legal budgets are shrinking … law firms may not be able to obtain enough business volume by large, well-paying companies in this region,” Li said. However, Zhu told China Business Law Journal that the demand for cross-border IP services in Shenzhen remains strong and was expected to grow. “As Shenzhen-based companies penetrate international markets, they increasingly rely on expert legal assistance to safeguard their intellectual property, navigate complex international IP laws, and maintain a competitive edge,” said Zhu, adding that DLA Piper was well-positioned to support Shenzhen companies’ legal needs. Shawn CHEN, a partner at legal market consultancy SSQ, said: “It has been difficult for international law firms to hire performing partners in any practice area for many years, not just in Shenzhen but across the whole country.” Find more legal information in China Business Law Journal. 👉 Join our membership: https://lnkd.in/gBZGctHN #cblj #china #shenzhen #ip #iplaw #disputeresolution #capitalmarkets #inhousecounsel #business #legalprofession #lawfirms #lawyers #legal #law #lawdotasia
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Duan & Duan Law Firm has acquired Japan-focused A&Z Law Firm and merged with UK law firm Jackson Lyon, establishing its Tokyo office and opening a London branch. Asia Business Law Journal
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Asia's legal landscape saw significant activity over the last month: Hong Kong and Singapore witnessed a flurry of major partner moves, including notable shifts at Wilkinson & Grist, Appleby, Jingtian & Gongcheng, Drew & Napier, Greenberg Traurig and Charles Russell Speechlys. 🤝 Meanwhile in Seoul, Yulchon displayed its ambition with seven partner hires across various practice areas. China's legal market remains dynamic, as PRC firms like Jun He and East IP expand their footprint and Stephenson Harwood’s alliance firm Wei Tu launches in Shanghai, while on the flip side we saw a wave of foreign exits announced, including Weil Gotshal, Orrick, and Perkins Coie. Stay informed with our latest Asia legal market update - read the full report below. 🌏🔍 #LegalMarketMoves #AsiaLegal #LawFirms #LegalRecruitment
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Another major US law firm is shrinking its footprint in China, as the tide of global firms that entered the Chinese legal market in recent decades has begun to reverse. Chicago-founded 2,300-lawyer Sidley Austin said on May 3 that it would shutter its Shanghai office, relocating staff and consolidating its China operations in Hong Kong and Beijing by September. Sidley now has 11 lawyers in its Shanghai office, according to the firm's website. It lists 13 lawyers in Beijing and 88 lawyers in Hong Kong. A growing number of other US and international law firms have been rethinking or reducing their presence in China amid growing pressures on foreign businesses, economic uncertainties, and geopolitical tensions. Sara Merken has more: https://reut.rs/3JJD3gX #legal #legalnews #legalindustry
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Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, which has recently announced the launch of a foreign law joint enterprise, confirmed with Asia Business Law Journal that there were already foreign law attorneys who had joined the firm as equal partners. The launch of a foreign law joint enterprise model is part of the firm’s rebranding exercise, involving changes including a logo update to “Mori Hamada” as well as its website. Mori Hamada, which was founded in 1949 and was one of Japan’s largest law firms, currently had 170 foreign law attorneys and 588 Japan-admitted lawyers, the firm said. Of the 170 foreign law attorneys, 12 are registered as foreign lawyers in Japan, according to data from the Japan Federation of Bar Associations as of 7 January 2025. Daniel Allen and Shi Kang are among those registered in Japan. 👉 Join our membership: https://lnkd.in/ed_d3FHt #ablj #asia #japan #intellectualproperty #finance #disputeresolution #corporatelaw #legalnews #inhousecounsel #business #legalprofession #lawfirms #lawyers #legal #law #lawdotasia
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Mid-tier and regional mainland Chinese law firms are expanding into Hong Kong, driven by cross-border demand and Beijing's global push. The past year has witnessed a flurry of expansion activity from mid-tier and regional mainland firms into Hong Kong, including Shanghai EverBright Law Firm, Zhenghan Law Firm, SGLA Law Firm and Beijing's Docvit Law Firm. Firms from the Greater Bay Area and from Sichuan have also joined the foray. This current wave of expansion marks a shift from previous patterns. “Starting from 2023, more PRC firms are opening offices in Hong Kong, and some of these firms are not focused on capital markets or transactional matters but are instead specialising in dispute resolution. The demand for Hong Kong-related legal services in this area has been increasing, and I believe the practical business needs are driving everyone forward,” says Zhou Bo, one of the founders of SGLA Law Firm's Hong Kong office. This ongoing influx has not only awakened the curiosity of market watchers but also perked up legal recruiters following a relatively muted period. "With increasing business activities between Hong Kong and mainland China, driven by initiatives like the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), there is a growing demand for PRC legal advice not only from large corporations but also from SMEs, startups, and individual clients in Hong Kong and overseas,” notes Brian Chan, head of legal and governance for Greater China at recruitment firm Ethos BeathChapman. 🔗More from Yangxiaoxiao Hu and Sarah Wong: https://lnkd.in/gPVv43bV
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Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, which has recently announced the launch of a foreign law joint enterprise, confirmed with Asia Business Law Journal that there were already foreign law attorneys who had joined the firm's partnership as equal partners. The exact number of the firm’s overseas-admitted lawyers who are now equal partners, or in the same position as Japan-admitted partners, has not been disclosed. “We plan to proactively hire (foreign law attorneys as equal partners) going forward,” a spokesperson of the firm told Asia Business Law Journal. Find out more at: https://lnkd.in/gQx5Q3Rc
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International partnerships are a powerful driver of growth for law firms, enabling them to explore new markets and establish a global footprint. Collaborating across jurisdictions enhances expertise and empowers firms to offer seamless, cross-border legal solutions. Whether seeking to expand into a new region or strengthen existing networks, leveraging these opportunities can pave the way for sustained success. The foundation of such partnerships lies in building strong and reliable networks. Platforms like Interlegal bring together law firms from around the world, making it easier to handle cross-border legal and cultural challenges. This article presents ten practical steps law firms can take to make the most of these partnerships, grow their business, and provide better services to their clients. https://lnkd.in/gURMyHQC #internationalpartnerships #legalnetworking #businessgrowth #leadinglawfirm #interlegalnetwork #legalexpertise #interlegal
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US multinational law firm WilmerHale will close its Beijing office, its only branch in China and Asia, by the end of November this year. The Beijing office, established in 2004, has been led by partner Lester Ross, and houses partner Kenneth Zhou and two other lawyers. Click China Business Law Journal for more information. 👉 Join our membership: https://lnkd.in/gBZGctHN #cblj #china #beijing #legalnews #capitalmarkets #inhousecounsel #business #legalprofession #lawfirms #lawyers #legal #law #lawdotasia
