Read our latest coverage on the scramble to get American law firms � and lawyers � into China.
The firm’s work includes representing Chinese clients going public in the United States, as well as foreign clients eager to take advantage of China’s growing economy.
One client, Tele Atlas, is looking to expand its digital mapping expertise in China. Another client is looking to consolidate Internet companies there.
Thelen Reid chose Shanghai for its office location partly because the city is exploding as China’s commercial center.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, which is still awaiting approval for its China office, is looking forward to obtaining the ability to hire locally � a benefit that comes along with the license, said Carmen Chang, the leader of the firm’s China practice. That’s the one standout feature to receiving the official approval, she said.
As for Shoesmith, he’s eager to strip the firm’s door of the Chinese New Year’s decorations that have been purposefully obscuring the Thelen Reid plaque. “We’ve had to be respectful of the limits, but now that we have the license, we’re uncovering our name on the door.”
