Minters launches Beijing office
27 August 2010
Minter Ellison has launched its Beijing office this week, the firm's third base on the Chinese mainland. 

The new Beijing office will initially be staffed by one partner and three associates, so it's hardly a huge base. But if the firm's gushing comments on the Chinese market are anything to go by, it'll be looking to expand the office rapidly. Chief Executive John Weber told RollOnFriday that "we are excited to add Beijing to our platform in the region ... China's growth potential is immense. It has an enormous appetite for foreign assets that are key to its burgeoning economy".

Some Minters recruits yesterday

However Minter Ellison is by no means the only firm desperate to get a piece of the Chinese pie. Aussie firms have been storming up the Silk Road for decades now. Allens and Mallesons also have three offices in China and Blake Dawson and Clayton Utz have one apiece. Freehills is alone amongst the big six in not having an office, but it reportedly racks up the frequent flyer miles at an alarming rate as it buses in staff from its Singapore office to handle deals.

The extent of law firm expansion in China is testament to the growing importance of the Asia Pacific region. Turf wars have recently broken out between Aussie and UK firms in Singapore and Indonesia. And there is a widely held belief that the Magic Circle's tightening noose on Australia is really an interim tactical step to secure the bigger prize of Asia.