US law firm WilmerHale to close Beijing office amid shifts in China's legal market
US law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, known as WilmerHale, has announced it will close its Beijing office, marking the end of its two-decade presence in China.
Reuters reported that WilmerHale’s decision comes as major law firms continue to reevaluate their operations in China amid a changing business environment and rising geopolitical tensions.
“Like many others, WilmerHale has evaluated our global footprint and has made the decision to close our office in Beijing,” the firm said. The office is set to close by the end of November, with all operations fully winding down by the expiration of the lease in March. The firm did not provide further details regarding the decision.
Despite the closure, WilmerHale stated that it will continue to serve clients engaged in Chinese markets and globally. The firm emphasized that its lawyers will still focus on key areas such as trade, sanctions and export control, anti-money laundering, and corporate transactions.
The Beijing office is WilmerHale’s only location in Asia. According to its website, the 1,100-lawyer firm had four active attorneys, including two partners, stationed in Beijing. The office was established in November 2004, shortly after the merger of the Boston-based Hale and Dorr and Washington-based Wilmer Cutler Pickering. At the time, the firm described the Beijing office as an “integral part of our broad international practice.”
According to Reuters, WilmerHale’s decision mirrors a trend among major US law firms scaling back their presence in China. This trend has accelerated over the past two years, driven by economic uncertainties, reduced business activities, and increasing geopolitical tensions affecting foreign companies operating in the region.
Earlier this month, prominent law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom announced its Shanghai office closure, citing “shifting market dynamics.” The firm indicated it would also reduce its headcount within China’s corporate practice across its remaining offices.
Other US law firms, including Reed Smith, Perkins Coie, Dechert, Morrison & Foerster, and Sidley Austin, have similarly shuttered offices in Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong since the spring.
