Biglaw firms are continuing to leave China, closing offices there left and right — and the latest firm to do so is considered a “pioneer” when it comes to U.S. firms practicing in the region.
As noted by the American Lawyer, Paul Weiss will be closing its Beijing office, which was first opened in 1981. Paul Weiss now becomes the 13th U.S. firm to leave the Chinese market in the past 18 months. The firm shared the following sentiments on the closure:
“We remain committed to having a strong presence across Asia, including in Hong Kong and Tokyo, and will continue to provide the highest-quality service to our clients in all of our global offices,” a spokesperson for the firm said in a statement.
Paul Weiss currently employs one partner, one counsel, and two associates in its Beijing office. The firm did not offer comment on whether they had been offered severance packages or relocation opportunities. After its Beijing office closes, the firm will maintain its offices in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
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.
Paul Weiss, Trailblazer for US Firms in China, to Close Beijing Office [American Lawyer]
Staci 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 Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.