Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton has closed its Beijing office, consolidating its China practice in Shanghai.

The firm said it closed the Beijing office in late March, following the 2018 departure of two former partners. In May of last year, former Beijing office managing partner James Zimmerman and intellectual property partner Scott Palmer joined Perkins Coie, alongside other lawyers and staff members from the Beijing office. Following the departures, Sheppard Mullin initially appointed Shanghai partner Tony Mou to be chief representative in Beijing.

Sheppard continues its China practice in Shanghai with nine lawyers, including five partners. Corporate and private equity partner Don Williams is managing partner in Shanghai, where the firm opened its first China office in 2007. Partner Harris Gao specialises in intellectual property and technology-related litigation.