Simmons targets China growth as firm rethinks recruitment strategy
Simmons & Simmons is planning to expand in mainland China, with the firm aiming to recruit local Chinese lawyers. The firm wants to hire local lawyers to gain access to Chinese clients and is looking to bring in partners in finance and corporate. It is also considering legal process outsourcing (LPO) to domestic firms in the region.
November 26, 2009 at 05:35 AM
2 minute read
Simmons & Simmons is planning to expand in mainland China, with the firm aiming to recruit local Chinese lawyers.
The firm wants to hire local lawyers to gain access to Chinese clients and is looking to bring in partners in finance and corporate. It is also considering legal process outsourcing (LPO) to domestic firms in the region.
The initiatives follow a review of the China practice led by firmwide managing partner Mark Dawkins over the summer and mark a change in strategy for Simmons, which earlier this year transferred its only full-time Shanghai partner, Jane Newman, back to London.
The 10-lawyer Shanghai base is currently Simmons' only mainland China office, although the firm is still considering plans to open a second local presence in Beijing.
Simmons Hong Kong-based China head Paul Li told Legal Week: "We are actively looking at lawyers that have practised with domestic rather than international law firms. We believe they will have deeper roots and stronger relationships based on a longstanding local practice."
He added: "One other option we are likely to look at is an arrangement or relationship with a domestic firm to undertake legal process outsourcing."
Simmons recently signed an agreement with global outsourcing company Integreon to carry out its LPO in India.
Simmons' 65-lawyer Hong Kong office lost a partner and a consultant last month, when M&A specialist Hengry Ong and energy lawyer Jasson Han joined Weil Gotshal & Manges.
Earlier this year, the firm also brought back China corporate head Damon Le Maitre-George and corporate partner Charles Mayo from Hong Kong, laying off three associates as a result.
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