ATLANTA (Feb. 26, 2007) – Troutman Sanders LLP today announced the opening of an office in Shanghai, making it the only Atlanta-based law firm with an office in mainland China, the world's fastest-growing economy.
The opening of the Shanghai office also continues Troutman Sanders' expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, where the law firm already operates a Hong Kong office that was founded in 1997. Combined, the two offices will employ about 40 people.
“ China 's economy is booming, and many of our global clients are working in or planning to expand into this growing region,” said Robert W. Webb Jr., chairman and managing partner of Troutman Sanders, during a press conference at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “The Shanghai office will complement our successful Hong Kong office and provide expertise in key practice areas that are much needed by our clients in the Asia-Pacific region, including mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, private equity and venture capital, corporate law, and litigation and arbitration.”
Webb thanked Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who also attended the press conference, for her efforts in developing a closer trade relationship between Atlanta and China . In September 2006, Mayor Franklin led a delegation of local business leaders on a nine-day Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce mission to China . The delegation included Webb, then-chair of the Metro Atlanta Chamber's Economic Development Committee.
“The opening of a Troutman Sanders office in Shanghai is an important step in Atlanta 's ongoing efforts to strengthen business ties with China ," said Mayor Franklin. “It is a great example of what can be accomplished when local business leaders work together to tell Atlanta 's story, as they did during the September trip to China . We will continue that cooperation as we work to expand Atlanta 's global reach.” The Shanghai office will be led by Office Managing Partner Edward J. Epstein, who has more than 20 years of experience practicing law in China . Joining him to lead the office is Coburn R. Beck, who has significant international experience in the area of mergers and acquisitions representing manufacturing and industrial clients.
The firm will have an initial staff of 11 legal professionals in its Shanghai office, working closely with the Hong Kong office to assist North American and European-based clients with investments and operations in Asia . The firm also will assist Asia-based clients with their U.S. and Asian investments and operations.
Shanghai , China 's largest city and the world's eighth largest, was an ideal choice for a new office because of its role as China 's financial and commerce center, said Webb. The city also serves as one of China 's most important cultural, industrial and communications hubs, and is one of the world's busiest ports - becoming the largest cargo port in the world in 2005.
Officials of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce also applauded the Troutman Sanders office opening.
“When the mayor, the Chamber and the Atlanta Regional Commission went to China last fall, I said metro Atlanta would strengthen its ties to China by standing on the shoulders of companies that have already been doing business there for years,” said Sam A. Williams, chamber president. “Today you're seeing one more example of this. Troutman Sanders is helping metro Atlanta blaze trails to the fastest-growing economy in the world.”##
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