BEIJING, May 7, 2004 – LAWFUEL – International law firm Holland & Knight LLP
announced today that the Chinese Ministry of Justice has granted the firm
a license to open an office in Beijing, China. This office is the Firm’s
second in Asia (in addition to Tokyo) and its eighth overseas location.
Ms. Zhao Xiaohua will serve as the office’s representative partner; the
office will be staffed by consultant Peng Zheng and used by Holland &
Knight lawyers assisting clients in China.
This expansion positions the firm to better support its United States
clients with international initiatives focusing on China. The office will
offer a full range of corporate legal services including corporate and
joint venture finance; obtaining authorizations and registrations for
majority-owned foreign entities; and the counseling of general and limited
partnerships, joint ventures and other business entities. Other integral
areas of practice include telecommunications, mergers with and acquisition
of domestic corporations by foreign investors, and the opening of new
business establishments, export sales and product sourcing.
“This is a strategic move that allows us expand our global reach into one
of the world’s most dynamic markets,” said Howell W. Melton, Jr., Holland
& Knight managing partner. “We can offer our clients high quality support
with our extensive local knowledge and relationships.”
“Given the growing importance of Asia in the international economy, we
have a vital interest in promoting positive business relationships between
the U.S. and China,” said Representative Partner Zhao, a native of Beijing
and a graduate of the Beijing Language Institute.
Holland & Knight has significant experience with Chinese telecom issues
and international commercial transactions. Past projects include
representing major U.S. and foreign companies in infrastructure projects
in China and other Asian countries, including a satellite cable television
transmission system, a satellite interactive distance learning system, a
major theme park, a coal-fired power plant, water plant and a light rail
transit system. Holland & Knight also has advised U.S. companies on
establishing joint ventures in various industries including wireless,
Internet, software, printing media, television broadcasting, residential
property assets securitization, automobile manufacturing, cosmetic
productions and agriculture sectors. In addition, the firm has advised on
numerous licensing agreements, technology transfers, encryption, trade and
legislative issues.
Ms. Zhao is admitted to practice law in Indiana and the District of
Columbia. She is a member of the Federal Communications Bar, American Bar
Association and International Bar Association. Ms. Zhao also holds a
master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University School of Journalism
and her J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law.
About Holland & Knight LLP: Holland & Knight is a commercial law firm with
more than 1,250 lawyers in 25 offices in the United States.
Internationally, offices are located in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Mexico
City, Helsinki, Tokyo and Beijing, with representative offices in Caracas
and Tel Aviv. Holland & Knight is among the 15 largest firms worldwide,
providing representation in all major areas of law. On the Net:
www.hklaw.com
