Biglaw

Biglaw Firm To Close Three Offices, Likely Perform Layoffs

How many lawyers will be affected by the office closures?

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What does a Biglaw firm do when it has lawyers in three offices that no longer fit in with its primary practices? That firm closes the offices in question and potentially performs layoffs to tie up loose ends.

Troutman Sanders will be closing all of its offices in China — in Hong Kong (opened in 1997), Shanghai (opened in 2007), and Beijing (opened in 2013) — thus ceasing its operations in Asia entirely after a 21-year presence there. The firm made the announcement internally yesterday. Troutman Sanders delivered a statement on the winding down of its China offices to Asian Lawyer:

“As part of a strategic review and after careful consideration, we have concluded that there is not sufficient overlap between our China practice and our areas of greatest focus,” the firm said. “As a result, we have decided to cease our operations in China and close our Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing offices effective May 31, 2018. …

In the statement, Troutman stressed that 2017 had been a strong year for the firm, which had exceeded its goals for the third year in a row. It had done so largely by following a strategic plan. The China practice no longer fit into that plan.

“Our strategic plan prioritizes our areas of greatest focus, which include broadly serving the middle market, as well as representing clients in the energy, banking and finance, life sciences and insurance sectors,” the firm said.

Troutman has about 30 lawyers, including seven partners, across its three offices in China, none of whom practice within the firm’s “areas of greatest focus.” There’s been no official word yet on whether layoffs will occur due to the office closures.

We wish all of the lawyers and affected individuals at Troutman Sanders the best of luck while they seek new job opportunities in the legal industry and beyond.

If your firm or organization is closing its doors or reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through open layoffs, stealth layoffs, or voluntary buyouts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our vast network of tipsters is part of what makes Above the Law thrive — we’ll never ignore you. You can email us or text us (646-820-8477).

Troutman Sanders to Close 3 Asian Offices [Asian Lawyer]

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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