Duane Morris has formally opened its Shanghai office after getting approval and a license from authorities. The firm had announced plans to open in Shanghai in January.

The Shanghai office will advise clients looking to invest in China, and Chinese companies seeking to invest overseas on foreign direct investment, M&A, market entry, outbound investing, taxation, licensing and joint ventures, IP matters, reporting requirements, and regulatory issues.

Leon Yee, a managing director from Duane Morris’ joint venture with Selvam LLC in Singapore will head the Shanghai office. He will be joined by associate director Eng Wee Chong from Singapore, and three other lawyers.

“We intend to facilitate the growth aspirations of Chinese companies seeking to invest abroad. Additionally, many of our clients are entering or expanding in the Chinese market, and we are now even better positioned to serve them,” said John Soroko, Duane Morris’ chairman and CEO, in a statement.

Before opening in Shanghai, Duane Morris had advised clients in the technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, banking, energy, and private equity sectors on China-related matters. 

Shanghai is Duane Morris’ third international opening since the start of 2013, with a joint-venture in Oman in March, and the opening of an office in Myanmar in September. The firm now has 27 offices worldwide.