Duan & Duan Law Firm has acquired Japan-focused A&Z Law Firm and merged with UK law firm Jackson Lyon, establishing its Tokyo office and opening a London branch.
“Before launching the London office, we had already established seven international branches, each over a decade old. We waited until the regional market was mature enough for business rather than opening for the sake of it,” said Eric Zhuang, equity partner and executive chairman of the global board of directors at Duan & Duan.
The former UK law firm Jackson Lyon recently merged with Duan & Duan, forming the new London office, which now comprises 11 members.
“So our London branch is built on existing business relationships,” Zhuang said. “China’s growing business presence in Europe, along with the influx of Chinese nationals to the UK, underscores London’s importance as a key market.”
In addition to the new London office, Duan & Duan has seven offshore branches in Hong Kong, New York, Seattle, Nagoya, Madrid, Phnom Penh and Tashkent.
Duan & Duan recently received approval from Japanese authorities to establish a branch office in Tokyo, which is currently undergoing the necessary filing process in China. The Tokyo office will initially consist of two lawyers, paralegals and administrative staff, including Sophie An, the former principal partner at A&Z, who joined Duan & Duan last October.
Specialising in Japanese business, A&Z has merged with Duan & Duan and it was finalised in April. Its 32 staff members were added to the combined house.
Once fully operational, the Tokyo branch will become Duan & Duan’s second office in Japan, a strategic decision based on business needs.
Currently, the Tokyo office can only provide non-Japanese legal advice. However, it will enhance communication and co-ordination between the management of Japanese companies in China and their headquarters in Japan, while also assisting Chinese companies looking to invest in Japan.
Zhuang mentioned that the long-term goal is to incorporate Japanese legal counsel to assist Chinese organisations and citizens with legal issues in Japan.
As more Chinese law firms seek to expand internationally, Zhuang believed success requires a targeted approach, focusing on China’s strengths and emerging industries abroad, such as renewable energy and data compliance.
Duan & Duan plans to further expand into countries and cities such as Vietnam and Dubai, with potential new branches in Sydney and Singapore in the next year.
“Our international strategy is centred on providing comprehensive legal services to clients, responding to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and seeking growth in the legal services market of developed countries,” Zhuang said.
Since the introduction of the BRI, many state-owned and large enterprises have heeded the call for international expansion. Developed countries, particularly Europe and the US, remain prime destinations for Chinese companies due to their mature markets.
Zhuang aims to leverage local talents among overseas Chinese lawyers to strengthen the capabilities of international branches. He said the firm also plans to utilise the resources from the 36 established offices to enhance overseas operations, ensuring that Duan & Duan’s global presence effectively supports Chinese enterprises in their international endeavours.
