Biglaw firms continue to shutter their offices in China like it’s going out of style. Today, we have news on the ninth large law firm to close the doors of a Chinese office in 2025.
As noted by Law.com International, K&L Gates — a firm that brought in $1,327,801,000 gross revenue in 2024, putting it at No. 44 on the most recent Am Law 100 — will close its Beijing office, which it first launched in 2004. The firm plans to retain its Hong Kong and Shanghai offices, with Shanghai absorbing Beijing’s work. A firm spokesperson issued the following statement:
“The firm’s new leadership team has recently undertaken a strategic review of our global operations, including our real estate footprint, with the ultimate goals of aligning resources with client demand, strengthening our high-performance culture, and staying efficient. As part of this review, we have decided to consolidate our Beijing office into our Shanghai office. We will retain our full-service capabilities in China, including our robust corporate, regulatory, and IP practices, and remain committed to serving Chinese clients and our global clients who have legal needs in China from our Shanghai and Hong Kong offices and in collaboration with our broad network of offices across the Asian continent and beyond.”
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While some lawyers at K&L’s Beijing office were offered the opportunity to relocate to another office, other staff members have reportedly been offered severance packages.
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.
K&L Gates Set to Close Beijing Office, Staff Offered Severance Packages [Law.com International]
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Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of 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 Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.