Biglaw firms are closing their offices in China left and right, but could those closures expand to offices in other Asian countries? For one firm, the answer is yes.
As part of a shift in Asia, O’Melveny & Myers will be stepping away from its office in Tokyo, marking an end to its presence in Japan after nearly 40 years.
An O’Melveny spokesperson shared the following comment with Law.com International on its decision to close its Tokyo office:
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“Following a strategic review of our Japan operations, we’ve determined that we will wind down our office in Tokyo over the coming months. Going forward, we will continue to support our clients in the region from our network of offices across Asia and internationally.”
Yoji Maeda, the O’Melveny’s managing partner in Tokyo — who has led the office for over 20 years — will retire as part of the transition. “We are grateful for Yoji’s friendship and leadership and wish him all the best in his next chapter,” the spokesperson said on behalf of the firm.
O’Melveny’s exit from Tokyo may be a one-off — or the first sign of a regional shift in Biglaw’s long game across Asia.
Which Biglaw firm will be the next say zàijiàn to its offices in China and other Asian countries? You can email us or text us (646-820-8477) if you have any intel. Thank you.
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O’Melveny Shutters 38-Year-Old Tokyo Office, Managing Partner Retires [Law.com]
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.