Leon Yee

Duane Morris has called its approach to expansion into Asia a "back door strategy." Beginning in 2007, the firm passed on China and Japan, and instead opened locations in Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar. The logic was that by being among the first American law firms to plant their flags in those developing countries, Duane Morris could be able to capitalize on future economic growth there.

But now Duane Morris has finally decided to go through Asia's front door—announcing Thursday morning that it would be opening a Shanghai office through its Asian joint venture Duane Morris & Selvam. The firm said it was awaiting approval from the People's Republic of China's Ministry of Justice to open its foreign representative office.

Duane Morris said the office will have a particular emphasis on facilitating outbound investment for Chinese corporations. The firm will also support foreign aspects relating to inbound investment and work with local law firms on domestic matters. The Shanghai practice will include advising on foreign direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, market entry, outbound investing, taxation, licensing and joint ventures, intellectual property matters, reporting requirements and regulatory issues.

The office will be filled by five lawyers and led by Singapore-based Leon Yee, managing director of Duane Morris & Selvam. Yee will spent three quarters of his time in Shanghai as chief representative. Singapore-based associate director Chong Eng will relocate to Shanghai full-time and the firm will hire three associate-level lawyers, most likely Shanghai area residents.

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