Law firms opening offices in Shanghai should be no surprise
Pittsburgh's two largest law firms entered China within the past 14 months and immediately announced plans to add more offices.
When Seattle-based Preston Gates & Ellis LLP merged with Downtown-based Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP, a deal that closed in late 2006 to create Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP, it added two offices in China -- Beijing and Hong Kong -- as well as one in Taipei, Taiwan -- with a combined 50 lawyers. The firm has applied for a license to open an office in Shanghai.
Reed Smith LLP, Downtown, had merged with London-based Richards Butler in 2006 but had to negotiate its own relationship with Richards Butler's Chinese affiliate. Last October, Reed Smith announced a merger with Richards Butler Hong Kong, with offices in that city and in Beijing, and its intention to obtain a license to practice in Shanghai.
Why Shanghai?
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Authors: Patty Tascarella
Published Date: 02/22/2008