世达国际律师事务所向ALB确认，其将关闭上海办公室，并调整在中国的公司业务运营。
“我们持续审视全球业务及运营范围和规模，以确保符合客户需求和律所策略计划。变化的市场情况使我们决定着手关闭在上海的运营，并调整中国公司业务。”该所说。
世达上海办公室设立于2008年。该所网站显示，上海办公室目前有19位员工，包括2位合伙人——办公室负责人李海平律师，以及武玉挺律师。其中李律师同时工作于上海、香港两地。
目前，世达在中国还开设有北京、香港两家办公室。
北京办公室设立于1991年，目前有13位员工，包括两名合伙人：孙凯律师、徐一林律师，两位都是在2022年后被晋升为合伙人。
香港办公室共有76位员工，由郭子俊律师领导。
目前尚不清楚公司业务的调整将影响多少位员工。但根据ALB的统计，世达上海有13位律师/员工工作于公司业务领域；北京有9位；香港有49位。
“我们将继续依靠亚洲地区的其他五家办公室，为客户提供杰出服务。”世达说。该所在亚洲还有首尔、东京、新加坡办公室。
“世达承诺于在亚洲地区的布局，为客户在该地区提供杰出服务。”该所表示。
世达成为了2024年最新一家调整中国布局的美国律师事务所，点击此处可见相关清单及ALB报道。
Skadden confirms closure in Shanghai, adjusts China corporate business
New York-headquartered law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has confirmed to ALB that it will be closing its Shanghai office and adjusting its corporate business in China.
“We continually examine the scope and scale of our practices and operations around the world to ensure that they are aligned with our clients’ needs and our strategic plans. Shifting market dynamics have led us to the decision to begin winding down our operations in Shanghai and rescale our China corporate practice,” the firm states.
Skadden’s Shanghai office was established in 2008. According to the firm’s website, the Shanghai office currently has 19 legal professionals, including two partners: Haiping Li, the office head, and Yuting Wu. Li works across both the Shanghai and Hong Kong offices.
Skadden also maintains offices in Beijing and Hong Kong. The Beijing office, established in 1991, currently has 13 legal professionals, including two partners, Kai Sun and Yilin Xu, both of whom were promoted to partnership after 2022.
The Hong Kong office has a total of 76 employees and is led by lawyer Steve Kwok.
It is not yet clear how many employees will be affected by the adjustment to the firm’s corporate practice. According to ALB’s data, there are 13 lawyers/staff in the corporate practice area in Shanghai, 9 in Beijing, and 49 in Hong Kong.
“We will continue to provide outstanding service to our clients from our five other offices in the region,” the firm says. Skadden also has offices in Seoul, Tokyo, and Singapore.
“Skadden is committed to a strong presence across Asia and to serving our clients in the region with excellence,” the firm adds.
Skadden is the latest U.S. law firm to adjust its presence in China in 2024. Click here for the full list and ALB’s related reports.
