26 Asian Legal Business | January 2025 Global leap 中国律所“出海”：多样化路径，强势挺进国际市场 In recent years, “going global” has undoubtedly become a top priority for Chinese businesses. The legal services industry, closely following its clients’ lead, has also been intensifying its focus on cross-border services. As a result, the number of Chinese law firms establishing an overseas presence has significantly increased over the past year. By Victor Wu 近年来，“出海”无疑是中国企业最关注的发展方向之一，紧跟客户步伐的法律服务行业也在跨境 业务上发力，且在过去一年，落子境外的中国律师事务所数量显著增长。作者：吴嘉林 The past 12 months have seen Chinese firms “going global” in clusters. According to rough statistics compiled by ALB, at least 37 Chinese firms have established more than 80 new offices overseas during that period. Mega firms such as Yingke Law Firm and Jingsh Law Firm maintained their lead in overseas expansion, each adding more than ten offices overseas. Other firms ventured overseas in smaller scale based on business needs and availability of resources, setting up one to three new offices each. For instance, five firms, including Hiways Law Firm, China Commercial Law Firm, and SGLA Law Firm have set up or are in the process of establishing three overseas offices. Eight other firms, such as W&H Law Firm, Duan & Duan, Landing Law Offices, Wang Jing & GH Law Firm, and Hunan Tiandiren Law Firm, each added two overseas outfits. The other 22 firms, including Fangda Partners, JunHe LLP, Grandall Law Firm, Long An Law Firm and Zhuojian Law Firm, opened one new office overseas each. In terms of locations, Hong Kong SAR has been the most popular destination, attracting eight firms to set up shop there. Specifically, Beijing Docvit Law Firm, Zhuoxin Law Firm, and Everbright Law Firm have chosen Hong Kong SAR as their first stop for overseas expansion. Japan is another desirable destination, with six Chinese firms establishing presence in Tokyo. Furthermore, Southeast Asia has increasingly become a hotly contested region, with 16 firms setting up 24 new offices there. Six are in Thailand, four each are in Singapore and Laos, three each are in Malaysia and Myanmar, and the Philippines and Indonesia each have two. Another sought-after region is Central Asia, where Yingke has established offices under the direct management of its head office in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Four other firms have also opened offices in these three countries. The neighboring Middle East has similarly become a key focus, with Jingsh establishing associated offices in Turkey, Bahrain and Cyprus, Yingke setting up Law firm management
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