Alliance gives Milwaukee law firm offices in China
The Milwaukee-based Michael Best & Friedrich law firm has opened offices in Shanghai and Beijing, China in what Michael Best partner Thor Lundgren calls an unprecedented move among US law firms.
To date, American law firms had been restricted to one office in China, according to Lundgren, partner in the firm’s Business Law Group.
The office openings were made possible through an alliance with three other law firms being termed the China Alliance.
"Our Wisconsin and Chicago offices are responding to escalating requests from clients," Lundgren said. "We are committed to assisting clients in meeting the opportunities and challenges of conducting business in China. Both China offices are staffed by experienced attorneys with substantial tenure in China who are fluent in Mandarin and have longstanding business and legal ties throughout China."
The China Alliance members are Armstrong Teasdale of St. Louis; Blake, Cassels & Graydon of Canada; Butzel Long of Detroit; and Michael Best.
Lundgren said that China Alliance members have more than 1,300 attorneys throughout the United States and Canada, and have entered into an agreement to make the services of all attorneys available to meet client needs.
The business door to China opened wider in 2001 when the nation joined the World Trade Organization. WTO membership forced down trade tariffs, cut production costs and removed the obstacles that previously kept China from selling overseas. Already the world’s fourth largest producer of industrial goods, China’s role as host nation for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games has created additional business opportunities for the Western world.
John Sapp, Michael Best managing partner stated, "The unique structure of the China Alliance provides clients with many positive features. It is a cost-effective approach for representation on critical business and strategic issues in China and throughout Asia. Lawyers from China Alliance firms will provide relevant advice and timely solutions to business issues at every level, whether local or multi-jurisdictional, practice area or industry specific."
Michael Best & Friedrich comprises more than 350 attorneys in six locations, including Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha and Manitowoc; Lehigh Valley, Pa; and Chicago.
March 7, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
