Salans set to close down its Beijing office

Salans is set to shutter its Beijing office after the partnership voted to close the office in favor of a more intense focus on Shanghai. The Beijing office has been operational since mid-2008, when it launched with around 15 fee-earners and 37 staff. Currently, just five people work in the Beijing office, and only one of them - managing counsel Aiping Bao - is working there full time. Bao is expected to relocate to Shanghai and the firm said it is “discussing future options” with the rest of the staff. A spokesperson for the firm explained that the Beijing office was surplus to requirements since client activity is centered on Shanghai: “Shanghai has always been a priority for our business in China, and the central hub of our business in the region,” said the spokesperson. “We’ll be focusing our Chinese operations in this increasingly important global financial centre, reflecting the importance our clients – both domestic Chinese businesses and international investors – place in the city.”

Salans set to close down its Beijing office thelawyer.com Mon, Apr 16, 2012