出于整合中国内地业务的目的，美国瑞生国际律师事务所准备关闭其上海办事处，该办事处开设于2005年。

上海办事处的10位律师，包括公司业务合伙人程逸，以及私募基金顾问律师邓丽韫，已受邀搬迁至北京办事处。

这家收入排名全球第二的律师事务所告诉ALB，做出这一决定是由于上海办事处租期已经临近。

“通过整合后的北京办事处，我们自信将能利用资源、专业和市场知识更有效地服务于我们的客户。中国对瑞生国际来说是重要的市场，也是全球及亚太业务不可分割的一部分。我们对于既往在中国取得的成就十分骄傲，也兴奋于能够继续在这样一个活跃的经济体中为我们的客户提供服务。”一位瑞生国际的发言人通过邮件告诉ALB。

本月早些时候，Dentons宣布和中国大成律师事务所分开成为两家实体，此举是出于“近期中国政府对中国律所的要求，包括和网络安全、数据保护相关的要求”。不过，熟悉瑞生国际事宜的人士否认上海办事处的关闭和趋严的中国监管环境有关。

根据瑞生国际网站，其北京办事处目前有5位律师，专注于调查及诉讼的徐辉是唯一的合伙人。香港仍旧是瑞生国际在亚洲最大的办公室，共有23名合伙人。

Latham to exit Shanghai, move personnel to Beijing

U.S. law firm Latham & Watkins is closing its Shanghai office, launched in 2005, as it looks to consolidate its mainland China presence.

The Shanghai office’s 10 lawyers, including corporate partner Rowland Cheng and private equity counsel Liyun (Louise) Deng, have been invited to relocate to Beijing.  

The world’s second largest law firm by revenue said it made the decision as the lease of its Shanghai office was expiring.

“We are confident that we have the resources, expertise, and market knowledge to serve our clients effectively from a consolidated hub in Beijing. China is an important market for the firm, and an integral part of our practice in Asia and globally. We are proud of our accomplishments in the region and are excited by the continued opportunities to serve our clients in this vibrant and dynamic economy,” a Latham spokesperson told ALB via email.

Earlier this month, Dentons parted ways with its China arm Dacheng, citing “recent Chinese government mandates on Chinese law firms, including those relating to cybersecurity and data protection.” However, sources familiar with Latham’s move denied that the Shanghai closure was prompted by concerns related to the toughening regulatory environment in China.

Latham’s Beijing office currently has five lawyers, with investigations and litigation specialist Hui Xu being the sole partner, according to the firm’s website. Hong Kong remains Latham’s largest outpost in Asia with 23 partners.