PRC firm Dacheng has opened yet another office, this time in Hong Kong, after merging with fellow PRC firm Guangdong Xin Yang. Xin Yang has an association agreement with Hong Kong-based Wong Poon Chan Law & Co. Dacheng will tap into the market for advising Chinese clients on family business governance.

The merger agreement was finalised in April 2010 and Dacheng received its license to operate from the Law Society of Hong Kong in May. In addition to its Hong Kong presence, Xin Yang has offices in Beijing and Guangzhou and advises on capital markets, private equity and venture capital, international trade, M&A, IP and project finance. The firm is also noted for its strong family office practice where it assists Chinese and other Asia-based clients on succession planning, employment policies for family members in a business and inter-generation transition management.

Dacheng plans to access the burgeoning Asian family office market as well as extend its presence to reach Hong Kong businesses through its alliance with Xinyang, which is notarized to provide legal services in both Mainland and Hong Kong.

Partners from Xing Yang were absorbed into Dacheng’s Hong Kong operations, with Yang Jinzhu, the previous co-managing partner of Xinyang now the MP of Dacheng’s Hong Kong office. “The merger is mutually beneficial as we have expanded to a much broader offering in regards to clients and network,” Yang said pointing out that the firm is presently looking to recruit lawyers domestically as well as internationally to expand its operations organically in the coming years.

“Many lawyers in Dacheng mainland, especially those experienced in foreign legal services have expressed interest to join our office,” he said. “We’ve had a tide of referrals in the form of projects, cases and clients from Dacheng mainland to Hong Kong.”

Arrangements have already been made for 15 partners to move from Dacheng’s mainland branches to the HK office meaning it will have one of the largest Hong Kong offices among PRC firms.

 Registered association of foreign law firms (PRC-HK)

*Number of foreign lawyers as registered with the Hong Kong Law Society

 Dacheng in Numbers

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• Dacheng breaks into the US Market (25 Jun 2010)
• Kingfield team splits into JT&N and Dacheng (3 May 2010)
• Dacheng continues ceaseless mergers (22 Jun 2010)