After 26 years in northern China, Morrison Foerster (MoFo) has confirmed with China Business Law Journal that it is ceasing office operations in Beijing due to manpower consolidation and lease expiration.
“We made the decision for two key reasons. First, nearly all of our work for clients in China is already being done by lawyers and other professionals based in Shanghai, Hong Kong and other firm offices,” MoFo’s spokesman said.
“Second, our Beijing office lease will terminate later this year. We believe the firm is best positioned to service our clients in China from our Hong Kong and Shanghai offices from both a business operation and a client service perspective.”
MoFo expects the Beijing office to officially close by this autumn. It is the fifth US-based law firm to close a branch in China this year, joining Sidley Austin, Weil, Orrick and Perkins Coie.
MoFo’s website states there are only four partners based in Beijing, all of whom are also based in other locations, namely Shanghai and Singapore. The quartet comprises managing partner Sun Chuan, as well as partners Zhao Rongjing, Paul McKenzie and Huang Ke.
The firm’s Shanghai office currently houses 12 lawyers, while 38 lawyers are based in Hong Kong.
