Latham & Watkins, an established US law firm, will soon close its Shanghai office, a significant shift after nearly two decades of presence in the region, as per people familiar with the situation. The move is part of a broader trend in recent months of American law firms reducing their business operations in mainland China. Read more here.
The Shanghai office, under the successful leadership of corporate partner Rowland Cheng, currently hosts 10 lawyers. Reportedly, all personnel in Shanghai have the option to relocate to Latham’s Beijing office, which is home to five other lawyers, including Hui Xu, who specialises in investigations and dispute resolution.
The full extent of implications this move will have on Latham’s business in China and the wider global market remains uncertain due to limited information available. However, it highlights the evolving dynamics of multinational law firms in response to the shifting geopolitical and economic landscapes.