Joint venture in the region will continue, firm says
Winston & Strawn has announced its decision to close its Hong Kong office, which was established in 2008, effective February 1, 2024. This move follows the closure of the firm’s Beijing and Taipei offices six years ago. While Winston & Strawn will maintain a small office in Shanghai and a more extensive presence in both Shanghai and Beijing through its alliance with Yuanda, formed in 2020, the decision to close the Hong Kong office reflects a strategic consolidation of resources in response to evolving client needs and the legal landscape in Hong Kong.
In a statement, the firm stated, “After carefully analyzing changing client needs and the legal market in Hong Kong, we have decided to consolidate our resources in Asia. The firm will continue to service clients with business in the region from our office in Shanghai, China, and through our strategic alliance with Yuanda China Law Office. We expect that several of our existing Hong Kong attorneys will transition to other Winston offices.”
Simon Luk, who has led Winston & Strawn’s Hong Kong office as Asia chairman since its inception, will oversee the transition. The office, which had experienced a series of departures over the years, currently includes local partners David Cheng and Gino Cheng, along with a team of associates.
This decision is part of a broader trend of some international firms scaling back or exiting Hong Kong amid political changes, including the implementation of a controversial national security law in 2020. Despite these shifts, many international firms remain committed to the jurisdiction, with some, like DWF, establishing new partnerships and ventures in the city.
