Biglaw firms continue to shutter their offices in China. Today, we have news on the fifth large law firm to close the doors of a Chinese office in 2025 — and this firm is no stranger to closing up shop in East Asia.
As noted by the American Lawyer, Winston & Strawn — a firm that brought in $1,190,728,000 gross revenue in 2023, putting it at No. 44 on the most recent Am Law 100 — plans to shut down its Shanghai office, where it had been operating jointly with local Chinese practice Yuanda Law Firm. The firm previously closed an office in Hong Kong in 2024, and closed offices in Beijing and Taipei in 2016. A firm spokesperson issued the following statement:
“This decision is part of our ongoing strategic review to ensure we are best positioned to serve our clients globally. We remain committed to our clients in China and will continue to support them through our other offices and existing relationships with other law firms.”
With this closure, Winston & Strawn will be left without a presence in Asia. Nearly 20 U.S. firms have closed one or more offices in mainland China since the exodus began in 2024.
Which Biglaw firm will be the next say zàijiàn to its offices in China? You can email us or text us (646-820-8477) if you have any intel. Thank you.
Winston & Strawn Shutters Last Office in China [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
