Following the footsteps of fellow Beijing firms Dacheng, Longan, Gaopeng andYingke, Zhongyin has recently launched itself in Nanjing.

The Nanjing office, Zhongyin's 13th branch, is headed by partner Yang Wei, who relocated from Beijing. More than 40 lawyers from a number of local firms have joined the office already but according to Li Jian (another partner who relocated from Beijing to Nanjing) the goal is to have more than 100 lawyers by the beginning of 2011.

"The GDP of Jiangsu was ranked the second in China last year. Strong economic development equals strong demand for legal

Listed Nanjing companies
  • In 2009, 33 companies based in Nanjing launched A-share IPOs and listed in Shenzhen and Shanghai.
  • By the end of 2009, more than 80 companies in Nanjing were listed either in China or overseas.
services. So the capital city is an appealing location for Beijing law firms seeking growth in commercial and corporate practices," said Li. "The State Council's Regional Plan for the Yangtze River Delta which was approved in May this year outlines further economic growth potential for the region. The plan brings more confidence to the Nanjing legal industry."

According to market speculation, Dacheng, which opened a Nanjing office in 2008, is in initial discussions with leading local firm Way-to-Justice on a possible tie-up. The two firms have been working closely on client matters in recent years. The tie-up, if it goes ahead, could create Nanjing's largest law firm, with over 100 lawyers. ALB

Top earning local firms in Nanjing (by 2009 revenue)

Firm
Total number of lawyers (at Aug 2009)
Revenue in 2009 (RMBm)
江苏联盛律
Way-to-Justice
54
 
44
江苏苏源
Suyuan
73
 
36
江苏致邦
Co-far
69
 
32
江苏高的
G&D
52
 
27
江苏世纪同仁
C&T Partners
21
 
25
江苏圣典
Sundy
83
24
江苏天豪
Top Hope
32
 
17
江苏博事达
Boomstar
41
 
12
江苏亿诚
Yicheng
24
 
11
江苏泰和
JC Master
19
10

Note: This table does not purport to be exhaustive.

Related stories: