Law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP announced today its plans to formally open an office in Shanghai during the summer of 2013. Seyfarth has seen an ever increasing demand for assistance in China from its multinational clients, particularly in its employment law and corporate departments. Responding to those demands, the opening of the Shanghai office represents the firm’s first move into Asia.
Seyfarth has recently been joined by high-profile China practitioner Wan Li. Mr. Wan will serve as chief representative and managing partner of Seyfarth’s Shanghai office, bringing more than 20 years of China experience to the firm. Mr. Wan joins Seyfarth from DLA Piper.
“Opening our Shanghai office is part of aligning our international services with the needs of our clients,” said J. Stephen Poor, Seyfarth’s chairman and managing partner. “In speaking with our clients during the last 12 months, there has been overwhelming feedback for us to open an office in Shanghai to support our clients in some of our core practice areas. We are delighted to open the Shanghai office to help us better serve our clients in China.”
“It is an exciting development for us to open our office in Shanghai. This is an important next step in the evolution of our international service model, following the very successful opening of our London office in 2011,” said Darren Gardner, chair of Seyfarth’s International Practice. “We are very pleased to welcome Wan Li to the firm. He is an experienced and highly-respected member of the Chinese legal community who we have known and worked closely with for mutual clients over a long period of time. We are very much looking forward to building out our team around him, especially in the employment and corporate practice areas.”
According to Mr. Wan, Seyfarth’s growing international platform is well positioned for Shanghai: “Seyfarth is widely recognized as a client service and innovation leader. With a strong client base that is increasingly active in this region, Seyfarth will have many opportunities to grow in the China market.”
Seyfarth’s office will be located in Jing An Kerry Centre Tower II, located in Shanghai’s Jing An business district.
