Heller opens in Shanghai after green light for third China office

Heller Ehrman has underscored its commitment to China through plans to open a third China office in Shanghai within the next month.

It is understood that the firm has obtained its operating licence for the office and is currently finalising details regarding the premises, such as the leasing of its grounds.

The new Shanghai office will be Heller’s fourth Asian outpost.

The West Coast firm sees Asia as a crucial plank in its strategy.

The firm focuses on technology-based and venture capital clients, with its Asia strategy concentrated on both inbound and outbound China-related work to both the US and now to the UK.

Heller launched a London office at the beginning of this year with a technology-focused corporate team recruited from WilmerHale.

Initially the firm will move one of its US-based Chinesespeaking lawyers to Shanghai to head the office.

Heller opened its Singapore office in 1994 and its Beijing offering, which currently houses seven lawyers, in 2004.

It was one of the first firms to enter the Chinese market, setting up in Hong Kong in 1978, with that office presently encompassing 19 lawyers.