Beijing-based Zhong Lun Law Firm, one of China’s largest firms with more than 300 lawyers, is stepping up its internationalization drive with a new merger in Hong Kong and plans for another in New York.
Zhong Lun’s Hong Kong affiliate firm, six-lawyer Roger Ho & Co., has agreed to merge next month with Hong Kong’s 21-lawyer Boughton, Peterson, Young, Anderson (BPYA). The Hong Kong Law Society requires mainland Chinese firms to participate in such affiliation arrangements for three years before they can practice Hong Kong law themselves. Zhong Lun, which opened an office in Hong Kong last year, plans to merge with the combined firm, BPYA, after the three-year requirement is met, says Zhong Lun managing partner Zhang Xuebing.
