Beijing – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary (“DLA Piper”) today announced it had received approval to open its Beijing office – a move that is set to further strengthen its presence and service offerings in China. It is one of the largest international legal services organisations in the country.
The licence application for the Beijing office was approved by the Ministry of Justice following DLA Piper’s recent successful acquisition of a large portion of the Beijing practice of Coudert Brothers, which joined its fast-growing China practice. The team from Coudert included former Executive Board member and China Practice Managing Partner, Tao Jingzhou, who will be head of DLA Piper’s Beijing operation and drive the China practice in mainland China. Mr Tao is a high profile China practice lawyer.
In the greater China market, DLA Piper has an existing office in Shanghai managed by partner Roy Chan with three partners and 12 fee earners as well as a sizeable operation in Hong Kong with 21 partners and close to 90 fee earners.
The decision to open a Beijing office will significantly enhance DLA Piper’s offering in China, giving it a stronger global capability and local strength. The Beijing office will have four partners and a total of 45 staff, which includes Janet Tang, an M&A specialist; Rocky Lee, a specialist in China corporate finance and IT and communications; and Matt Adler, a US corporate and capital markets expert who joined from Clifford Chance in June 2005.
“The opening of DLA Piper Beijing will build on our existing strengths and make us one of the leading China practices serving local Chinese and multinational clients. Coudert’s China operations were considered a jewel in the crown of the firm and we are pleased to add this impressive capability to DLA Piper’s global network and our fast-growing China operation,” said Mr Nick Seddon, DLA Piper Asia Managing Director.
“With approximately 300 foreign law firms practising in China it is probably one of the most competitive markets in the world. There are more foreign law firms in China now than in New York, London and Tokyo. The ones that succeed will be those which can blend local experience, expertise and contacts with a strong global network serving multinational as well as Chinese clients anywhere, anytime,” said Mr Seddon.
DLA Piper Beijing will offer a full range of legal services including foreign direct investment, international arbitration, international trade, antitrust and competition, M&A, real estate, financing, intellectual property and insurance.
Mr Tao said: “There has been a significant increase in demand for specialist legal services with Chinese enterprises expanding their operations overseas and multinational companies growing and adapting their operations in China, seeking an international perspective to legal advice and business decisions.”
Mr Seddon added: “DLA Piper will hit the ground running in Beijing by leveraging the solid business and legal experience built up over 14 years by Coudert’s Beijing operation and Tao Jingzhou for our clients who require a broad range of legal and business services locally, nationally or internationally.”
