Morgan Lewis & Bockius has officially closed its Shenzhen office less than two years after its opening, making it the second major law firm to exit China in 2025. This closure follows a trend of U.S. firms withdrawing from the Chinese market, with Morgan Lewis being the 16th firm to do so since 2024. The decision came after the departure of the office leader to DLA Piper, prompting Morgan Lewis to consolidate its operations by refocusing on its Shanghai office and reestablishing its intellectual property practice there.
Morgan Lewis confirmed the office closure. "We parted ways with our only two lawyers in Shenzhen and reestablished our China-based intellectual property practice in our Shanghai office."
The firm's office leader lateraled to DLA Piper back in November, and unable to fill his shoes, Morgan Lewis decided to shutter the office.
Morgan Lewis now becomes the 16th U.S. firm to shutter an office in mainland China since the exodus began in 2024.
Our combined Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai offices provide corporate, capital markets, corporate investigations, investment management, employment, litigation, and intellectual property services to firm clients through almost 70 lawyers.
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