CHINA

Chart of the Day: The Law Firms Leaving the Chinese Mainland

Published: May. 5, 2025 5:34 p.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

Since 2023, more than a dozen well-known foreign law firms, most of them American, have scaled back operations or exited completely from the Chinese mainland, according to incomplete data compiled by Caixin.

Rather than withdrawing completely, many U.S. firms have closed offices in Beijing or Shanghai while keeping operations in Hong Kong and consolidating their businesses.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

Since 2023, over a dozen major foreign law firms, mainly American, have reduced or closed their China mainland offices, but often kept Hong Kong operations.
The total number of foreign law firm offices fell from 244 in 2017 to 205 in 2022, rising slightly to 208 in 2023; 15 new foreign firms were approved since 2023.
Some Southeast Asian law firms are increasing their presence in China, especially in Shenzhen and Hainan, reflecting growing China-Southeast Asia business ties.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a New York-based law firm that was among the first foreign firms to enter China, opening a Beijing office in 1981. The firm closed its Beijing office at the end of 2024, leaving it without a mainland China presence, though it still maintains an office in Hong Kong.

Dentons: Dentons, one of the world’s largest law firms, ended its eight-year alliance with Beijing Dacheng Law Offices in August 2023. The firms had teamed up in 2015 to address growing legal demand. After the split, Dacheng updated its website to reflect its independent status but remains a preferred law firm for Dentons in China.

Beijing Dacheng Law Offices: Beijing Dacheng Law Offices ended its eight-year alliance with Dentons in August 2023. After the split, Dacheng updated its website to reflect its independent status but remains a preferred law firm for Dentons in China. The previous partnership with Dentons began in 2015 to meet rising legal demand, but as of 2023, the two now operate separately.

Mayer Brown LLP: In May 2024, Chicago-based Mayer Brown LLP restructured its Hong Kong operations, reviving the historical name Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) for its partner team. JSM separated from Mayer Brown’s international business, and the two now operate under a temporary association expected to end in late 2025. Mayer Brown will continue in Hong Kong with a new partnership focused on its international and Asia strategies.

Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM): Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) is the historical name revived by Mayer Brown LLP’s partner team in Hong Kong after restructuring in May 2024. The team separated from Mayer Brown’s international business and now operates under a temporary association, which is expected to end in late 2025.

Loeb & Loeb LLP: In September 2024, Los Angeles-based Loeb & Loeb LLP expanded its China presence by acquiring a 17-member Beijing-based team of lawyers, paralegals, and intellectual property specialists from Seattle-based Perkins Coie LLP, along with Perkins Coie’s intellectual property agency in Beijing.

Perkins Coie LLP: According to the article, in September 2024, Los Angeles-based Loeb & Loeb LLP acquired a 17-member Beijing-based team of lawyers, paralegals, and intellectual property specialists from Seattle-based Perkins Coie LLP, along with Perkins Coie’s intellectual property agency in Beijing.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP: Since 2021, the headcount at the Beijing office of Minneapolis-based Dorsey & Whitney LLP has more than doubled. This indicates that, unlike many other foreign law firms scaling back, Dorsey & Whitney is actually expanding its presence in China and investing in growth within the mainland market.

Pinsent Masons LLP: According to the article, Pinsent Masons LLP is a British law firm that was approved to establish a representative office in China since 2023, as noted by Ministry of Justice data. This is part of a broader trend where several foreign law firms, including those from the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cyprus, and Mauritius, have set up new offices in China, particularly in cities like Shenzhen and Hainan.

Holman Fenwick & Willan LLP: According to the article, Holman Fenwick & Willan LLP is a British law firm that, since 2023, received approval from China’s Ministry of Justice to establish a representative office in the country, alongside other foreign firms expanding into China’s legal market.

Rajah & Tann LLP: According to the article, Rajah & Tann LLP is a law firm from Singapore that was approved to establish a representative office in China since 2023. This reflects the growing economic and business ties between China and Southeast Asia, as Southeast Asian firms position themselves to better serve Chinese clients expanding across the region.

Allen & Gledhill LLP: According to the article, Allen & Gledhill LLP, a Singaporean law firm, was among 15 foreign law firms approved since 2023 to establish representative offices in China. This reflects the growing economic and business ties between China and Southeast Asia and the trend of Southeast Asian firms entering the Chinese legal market to be closer to their clients as they expand operations in the region.

AI generated, for reference only