Winston Opens in Asia, Expands in D.C. With Heller Lawyers

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Winston Opens in Asia, Expands in D.C. With Heller Lawyers

Posted Nov 7, 2008, 10:51 am CST
By Martha Neil

Chicago-based Winston & Strawn is planning to expand its practice significantly, with the help of attorneys from the dissolving Heller Ehrman law firm.

"Pending local regulatory approval in mainland China and Hong Kong, Winton & Strawn plans to open offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, with several partners, associates and other professionals, many of whom were previously with Heller's offices in Greater China," the more than 1,000-attorney international firm reports in a press release. "Winston also has acquired Heller's entire international trade practice group in the Washington, D.C. office, and a prominent environmental litigation partner in San Francisco."

The Heller group includes eight partners, as well as additional associates and professionals. Among the Asia contingent are Simon Luk, a corporate partner who formerly chaired Heller's Hong Kong practice; David Hall-Jones, a litigator, and Michael Phillips, another corporate partner. In D.C., international trade partners William Barringer, Daniel Porter, Christopher Dunn and James Durling work closely with the Asia group.

"Other firms to hire groups of people from the dissolved firm have included Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, Cooley Goodward Kronish and Arnold & Porter," recounts a Legal Week article about the acquisition. "Meanwhile, Boston-based Goodwin Procter is set to open in (London) after picking up around a dozen of Heller’s lawyers last month."

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Baker, Winston Withdraw Proposals to Take on Heller Lawyers and Leases"

ABA Journal - Law News Now

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