Biglaw companies are closing their workplaces in China left and proper, however may these closures increase to workplaces in different Asian international locations? For one agency, the reply is sure.
As a part of a shift in Asia, O’Melveny & Myers will likely be stepping away from its workplace in Tokyo, marking an finish to its presence in Japan after almost 40 years.
An O’Melveny spokesperson shared the next remark with Law.com International on its resolution to shut its Tokyo workplace:
“Following a strategic assessment of our Japan operations, we’ve decided that we are going to wind down our workplace in Tokyo over the approaching months. Going ahead, we are going to proceed to assist our shoppers within the area from our community of workplaces throughout Asia and internationally.”
Yoji Maeda, the O’Melveny’s managing accomplice in Tokyo — who has led the workplace for over 20 years — will retire as a part of the transition. “We’re grateful for Yoji’s friendship and management and need him all the very best in his subsequent chapter,” the spokesperson stated on behalf of the agency.
O’Melveny’s exit from Tokyo could also be a one-off — or the primary signal of a regional shift in Biglaw’s lengthy sport throughout Asia.
Which Biglaw agency would be the subsequent say zàijiàn to its workplaces in China and different Asian international locations? You possibly can email us or textual content us (646-820-8477) in case you have any intel. Thanks.
O’Melveny Shutters 38-Year-Old Tokyo Office, Managing Partner Retires [Law.com]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Legislation, the place she’s labored since 2011. She’d love to listen to from you, so please be happy to email her with any ideas, questions, feedback, or critiques. You possibly can observe her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or join along with her on LinkedIn.
