Biglaw

Top Biglaw Firm Leaves China Behind As It Closes Its Beijing Office

Yet another U.S.-based firm closes the door on the Chinese market.

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Biglaw firms are continuing to leave China, closing offices there left and right — and the latest firm to do so will be left without a single outpost in Asia as a result of the closure.

As noted by Law.com International, WilmerHale is shutting down its Beijing office, making it the 12th U.S. firm to leave the Chinese market in the past 18 months. According to an insider at the firm, the office is expected to close by the end of November, with operations wound down by March 2025, at the end of WilmerHale’s lease. The firm offered the following statement:

“Like many others, WilmerHale has evaluated our global footprint and has made the decision to close our office in Beijing,” a Wilmer spokesperson told Law.com International. “We will continue to offer the highest levels of service and expertise in trade, sanctions and export control, anti-money laundering, and corporate transactions to our clients operating in China and around the world.”

Wilmer currently employs two corporate partners and two associates in its Beijing office. The firm did not offer comment on whether they had been offered severance packages or relocation opportunities.

Which Biglaw firm will be the next say zàijiàn to its offices in China? You can email us or text us (646-820-8477) if you have any intel. Thank you.

Wilmer to Become 12th U.S. Firm in Past 18 Months to Close Office in Greater China [Law.com International]

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked 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 X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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