Apr 23 2009
even southern firms are jumping into china
There was a time when I had a slowdown of these sort of postings about a new law firm opening shop in Beijing and/or Shanghai. Last time it was Loeb & Loeb, which I noted was interesting from a smaller U.S. firm. Well, now we have a U.S. regional firm based out of Atlanta–the South–opening up shop in Beijing. Morris Manning & Martin, which I had never heard of being (being based in the Bay Area, CA), recently announced its Beijing office launch. (they also have a presence in Taibei, Taiwan) In fact, the law firm in a press release brags:
Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP is the only Atlanta-based law firm with a presence in Beijing.
So what are a bunch of southerners doing in Beijing? More after the jump.
The Daily Report, based in Atlanta, recently published this article, “ Recession? So What?: Firms Opening Overseas Offices” that covers MM&M’s Beijing launch. The article, posted here (free subscription required), reports:
Amid layoffs and sagging revenues in the U.S. legal market, two local firms are looking abroad for opportunity.
Morris Manning & Martin added offices in Beijing and Taipei, Taiwan, this month while King & Spalding is opening a Paris office.
The Asia offices are a sign of the maturation of Morris Manning’s China practice, which got going when Tim T. Xia joined the firm in 2004. Xia handles patent prosecution and IP strategy in the U.S. for a number of Chinese companies.
Xia is apparently making a name for himself. His website bio says that he will appear in the Chambers & Partners USA Guide in 2009. If that’s true, that’s no small feat. And out of this one lawyer, they’ve built a China practice. Reminds me a little of how Howard Chen at K&L Gates has been able to operate. Take an IP lawyer of Chinese background, set him loose in Asia, and watch your China practice grow.
Morris Manning added a second native Chinese IP partner, Ping Wang, from DLA Piper in its Washington office last year, said the firm’s managing partner, Robert E. Saudek.
Xia and Wang’s clients also use the firm for patent defense and corporate and securities work, Saudek said.
The China practice has reached a size that “demands that you have an office in Beijing so they don’t have to wake me up in the middle of the night,” said Xia, noting that there is a 12-hour time difference between Beijing and Atlanta. “Clients do want to talk to us 24 hours a day, so it helps to have someone stationed there during their working time,” he said. The Beijing office is a first for an Atlanta-based law firm.
Morris Manning is not licensed to practice Chinese or Taiwanese law. Its outposts there, called representative offices, will serve local clients doing business in the United States.
Ming Jaing, a technical advisor for Morris Manning, will spend most of his time in the Beijing office, which opened April 15. “We wanted someone to help me do business development and communication there on the ground,” said Xia.
So note, the firm has opened RO and not gotten approval from the Chinese (or Taiwanese) governments. At least I know why the firm calls it an Asia “presence” and not a full blown office. I wonder if this will become the preferred approach for mid-sized and/or regional firms–establish an RO and then cherry pick U.S. based business. Not a bad idea actually. Less hoops to jump through than having an office approved. Still bring in the higher value U.S. and international bound work for Chinese and Taiwanese companies. And not have to compete with local firms (like King & Wood) for local work. At first I didn’t think much of this, but the more I thought of it–it’s a pretty good strategy.
Xia, 50, said shuttling between China and Atlanta was wearing him out. “I’m a pretty old man,” he said. “My body doesn’t like it.”
For example, said Xia, he returned from opening the Beijing office Sunday evening and was in the office Monday morning, despite the 12-hour time difference. “Bob Saudek works his partners very hard,” he added.
Off topic, I’m not sure what this says of the work culture there. In fact, I don’t know why this is even in the article. It’s scary when your own partner points the finger at another about what a slave driver you are. But I guess that means if you are thinking about joining MM&M in Beijing to Taibei, just know what you’re goign to expect. (and don’t expect ATL’s Asia Chronicles to paint too realistic a picture)
Morris Manning has 12 Mandarin-speaking professionals firmwide, Saudek said, and plans to further expand its China practice. “It’s such a huge market, and we have very good people with the firm who have strong contacts over there. It’s a big opportunity,” he said.
Ironically, its 12 Mandarin speaking “professionals”. I’m curious to know how many attorneys speak Mandarin and are part of this Asia practice group. Got to love firm marketing spin. But still, on the whole, good news for smaller players wanting to have their own Asia presences.
UPDATE: Looks like the firm isn’t doing all that well economically. (see here, free subscription required) Maybe they figure the China market is much more profitable:
Morris, Manning & Martin has rescinded offers for six of its incoming first-year associates and canceled this year’s summer associate program because of the recession.
