US law firm Mayer Brown to split its Hong Kong operations, joining peers in downsizing in China
- Partners plan to reestablish their firm as Johnson Stokes & Master, which was the name of the Hong Kong-based entity that merged with Mayer Brown in 2008
- The law firm has roughly 170 lawyers in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, with most based in the latter
US law firm Mayer Brown said on Thursday that it plans to separate from its current Hong Kong operations, as many international law firms rethink or reduce their presence in China.
Chicago-founded, 1,800-lawyer Mayer Brown said it plans to continue to operate in Hong Kong through a new partnership focused on corporate and other work.
Mayer Brown said its Hong Kong partners plan to reestablish their firm as Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM), which was the name of the Hong Kong-based entity that merged with Mayer Brown in 2008. If the move receives regulatory approval, JSM is expected to operate independently by next year.
Mayer Brown has roughly 170 lawyers in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, with the majority in Hong Kong, according to its website.
Clients of Mayer Brown’s China practice have included Chinese conglomerates Citic, Fosun and Sinochem, and non-Chinese multinationals ConocoPhillips, Nestle and Unilever, the firm’s website said.
