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Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe was expanding its presence in Asia with the addition of a third office, in Beijing. The move helped strengthen Heller’s foothold in Asia, particularly as it grew its emerging company-focused Venture Law Group division, acquired in October. “Our growth in China is important to what we do and what we plan to do with the Venture Law Group as we continue to grow that brand on a global basis,” said Chairman Barry Levin.

In his first hours as Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe chairman, Barry Levin announced the opening of a New York office that would give the San Francisco-based giant a presence all the way to Europe. The merger with New York’s 18-lawyer Werbel & Carnelutti was sealed last week, and brought with it an affiliation with Italy’s oldest law firm. But the primary benefit was domestic, helping Heller tap the emerging high-tech sectors of New York’s Silicon Alley and the Dulles Corridor near Washington, D.C. “We believe we are hot,” Levin said. “We have been thinking about New York for some time, but it took a long time to find the people we liked.”