Biglaw

The First U.K.-Based Biglaw Firm To Shutter An Office In Mainland China

Yet another Biglaw firm closes the door on a Chinese office.

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U.S.-based Biglaw firms are continuing to leave China, closing offices there left and right — but the latest firm to do so hails from across the pond, making it the first U.K.-based firm to exit mainland China.

As noted by Law.com International, Eversheds Sutherland is shutting down its Beijing office, but not for the reasons the majority of U.S.-based firms are leaving in droves. It seems that the office’s managing partner has been hired away by another firm. Here are some additional details:

Jay Ze joins Stephenson Harwood, having most recently led Eversheds’ Beijing office as managing partner and head of the corporate practice for China. He was the office’s sole remaining partner.

Ze, who focuses on cross-border M&A work, will be joining Stephenson Harwood in Hong Kong once the regulatory processes have completed, the firm said. …

Ze joined Eversheds as a partner in 2013 from the Beijing office of Spanish firm Uria Menendez, where he was a counsel. Prior to working at Uria Menedez for almost a year, he worked as an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as well as Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.

An Eversheds spokesperson told Law.com International: “Partner Jay Ze, previously the firm’s sole partner based in Beijing, has left the firm with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”

As the firm plans its Beijing closure, it’s also hoping to reenter Singapore. According to an Eversheds spokesperson, “The firm remains committed to Asia and a formal application to create a branded presence in Singapore will shortly be submitted to the local regulator.”

Eversheds will maintain its offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai during this time, as a “critical part of [the firm’s] Asia strategy.”

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.

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Eversheds Shuts in Beijing, Targets Singapore Re-Entry [Law.com International]

Staci ZaretskyStaci 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 X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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