Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton opens its first international office in Shanghai, China. The LA firm has recruited former Coudert chairman David Huebner as its regional managing partner in the new office, and has also hired two attorneys from AllBright for the opening. Though this will be the firm’s first overseas location, it did already have US-based teams for Israel, Italy, Latin America, South Korea, and China. Because many of Sheppard Mullin’s clients have operations in China, the firm felt that in order to provide them with the needed support, they needed to establish a branch there.
Source: www.thelawyer.com

Troutman Sanders will be the first Atlanta-based firm to open in mainland China. The new office will be in Shanghai, China’s financial and commercial center. Troutman has had an office in Hong Kong for 10 years; it was this office’s success and amount of business dealing with Shanghai that led to the move to open on the mainland. Edward J. Epstein, a partner in Hong Kong, will be the new office’s managing partner; Hong Kong and Richmond partner, Coburn R. Beck, will also be a key player. Eleven attorneys from other firms’ China offices have already been recruited, and more are expected to join later.
Source: www.law.com

St. Louis-based Armstrong Teasdale has made another expansionary move, acquiring San Francisco boutique Senn Meulemans. The move brings 9 new attorneys to Armstrong, as well as offices in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The firm employs 264 lawyers in 11 offices worldwide, including Washington, D.C. and Shanghai, China.

Former Lovells corporate partner Colin Law will take on a new job with U.S. firm O’Melveny & Myers. The move will bring O’Melveny to 11 partners and 70 attorneys in its Shanghai practice.
Source: www.legalweek.com