The Terminator backs up Orrick's China licence bid

One of the world's best-known faces is helping Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe in its quest for a China operating licence.

The California firm has turned to the Terminator himself, longstanding Orrick client Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The offer of assistance came after Schwarzenegger invited Orrick chairman and chief executive Ralph Baxter to accompany him on a week-long trade mission to China. Baxter accepted.

Now the movie star-turned-politician, best known for his role as a time-travelling cyborg, has written a letter supporting the San Francisco-based firm's application to transfer Coudert Brothers' China operations to Orrick.

Orrick has a longstanding relationship as legal adviser to Schwarzenegger. The firm most notably advised his administration in 2004 on its $15bn (£8.07bn) economic recovery bond, dubbed the 'Terminator bond'.

Schwarzenegger was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.