Beijing
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Winston & Strawn is planning to open offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, using eight former Heller Ehrman partners it hired to help build its new Asia practice.
The firm has hired Simon Luk, the former chairman of Heller's Hong Kong practice, as well as ex-Heller partners David Hall-Jones and Michael Phillips, to anchor its Hong Kong office, the firm said. The partners are already in Hong Kong and will come with associates and legal staff.
Luk's practice has focused on M&A and private equity deals, while Phillips' expertise includes capital markets and real estate. Hall-Jones brings experience in international arbitration and litigation. Opening the Asian offices depends on the firm receiving regulatory approvals from the Chinese government.
"We are continuing our strategic expansion in regions widely viewed as having the greatest growth opportunities for the firm and its clients," said Tom Fitzgerald, the firm's managing partner.
In addition, Winston is hiring Heller's entire former international trade practice in Washington, adding four lawyers who have experience in international trade and who have worked with the new Asian attorneys on import and export cases related to China. Those new partners include William Barringer, Daniel Porter, Christopher Dunn and James Durling, the firm said.
Last month, Winston hired the former Heller environmental litigation partner Joseph Armao in San Francisco.
Winston has about 1,000 lawyers in 11 offices, excluding the proposed offices in Asia. The firm, which was founded in Chicago, has six offices in the United States and four international outposts in London, Geneva, Moscow and Paris.
