Dacheng has officially staked its foothold in Hong Kong through a merger with Guangdong Xin Yang, a Guangzhou-based firm that opened an office in Hong Kong in 2006.

The merger agreement between Dacheng and Xin Yang was signed in April 2010 and Xin Yang's Hong Kong office was renamed to Dacheng Hong Kong office in May after obtaining the approval from the Law Society of Hong Kong. Xin Yang has been in association with Hong Kong local firm Wong Poon Chan Law & Co, and the association now continues with Dacheng after the transition. 

Dacheng Hong Kong office currently has three partners and several lawyers, all of whom worked in Xin Yang prior to the merger. Yang Jinzhu, previously the co-managing partner of Xin Yang's Hong Kong office, now services as the head of Dacheng's new office.

"The merger is mutually beneficial as we have expanded to a much broader offering in regards to clients and network," Yang said. "We've had a tide of referrals in the form of projects, cases and clients from Dacheng mainland to Hong Kong."

Yang expects the Hong Kong team to grow significantly in the coming years with both lateral hires and internal transfers. "Many lawyers in Dacheng's mainland offices, especially those experienced in foreign legal services have expressed interest to join our office," Yang said. In effect, arrangements have already been made for 15 partners to move from Dacheng's mainland branches to the HK office. "Lawyers moving over from Dacheng mainland will also bring their clients with them to the Hong Kong office," he said. ALB

 Registered Association of Foreign Law Firms (PRC- HK)

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