Mid-tier US firm Morris, Manning & Martin (MMM), has made its mark by opening two offices in Greater China in early April. The firm has launched its Taipei and Beijing office, but until the requisite approvals are received in both China and Taiwan, the offices will operate as business development centres.

Currently, the firm's Taiwan practice is headed by Washington D.C.- based of counsel Raymond Ho, who joined from Hogan & Hartson. He will spend a significant portion of his time working from the firm's newest location. The firm's Asia practice partner Ming Jiang will reside at the new Beijing office to serve as its local administrator.

"[China] is an integral part of our long-term strategic plan," said the firm's managing partner Robert Saudek. "We view our approach as twofold; first assisting with intellectual property patent prosecution and potential litigation, second assisting with corporate and securities matters."

The firm's Asia practice includes over a dozen Mandarin speakers with deep connections to China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The practice is primarily focused on representing Chinese, Taiwanese, and other Pacific-rim-based companies and institutions with their operations in the United States. The practice increasingly represents U.S. and other international companies with their operations in both countries.