MEDIA RELEASE PR38541
Steptoe & Johnson LLP Opens Office in Beijing
WASHINGTON and BEIJING, Mar. 1 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Leading Washington D.C. -Based Law Firm to Advise Clients in
Beijing
Steptoe & Johnson LLP, a leading international law firm, today announced
the opening of an office in Beijing, China. With offices in the world's major
regulatory centers including Washington, D.C., Brussels, London, and now
Beijing, Steptoe advises international companies on the legal and regulatory
developments that affect their businesses.
"Our long history serving US and international clients with Asian
business interests provides a strong foundation on which to build in
Beijing," said Roger E. Warin, Steptoe's Chair. "This new office will enhance
our ability to provide services to multinational companies operating in China
as well as Chinese companies expanding beyond the People's Republic of
China."
Steptoe advises companies doing business in and from China on a wide
range of matters, including international trade, market access, export
control, antitrust, and compliance with US and European environmental,
product safety, and other regulations. The Beijing office will help Steptoe
expand its work in these areas and better serve its clients. The firm's
International Trade and Investment practice helps companies seeking to enter
and expand their business in the Chinese market. The firm currently advises
the Government of China on matters before the World Trade Organization. Led
by Edward J. Krauland, the firm's International Regulation and Compliance
practice advises clients on sensitive regulatory issues, including US and
European export control rules. Steptoe also maintains an internationally
recognized anti-corruption practice under the direction of Lucinda A. Low and
Patrick M. Norton that counsels clients subject to the Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act ("FCPA") and various anti-corruption laws around the world
including throughout Asia. The practice also represents clients in internal
investigations, enforcement actions, and collateral proceedings, including
before the World Bank and other institutions.
"China's emergence onto the world stage has had a profound impact on the
global economy," said Susan G. Esserman, head of Steptoe's International
Department and former Deputy US Trade Representative during the Clinton
Administration. "The complex trade and regulatory changes underway in China
affect companies investing in the market and can have implications in other
key regulatory markets. With Chinese companies now actively expanding into US
and European markets, they are encountering opportunities as well as trade
and regulatory challenges. Steptoe's strength is helping our clients to
address these issues and to put them in the best possible competitive
position."
Eric C. Emerson, a partner in Steptoe's International Trade and
Investment practice, is Managing Partner of the Beijing office. Mr. Emerson
has been with Steptoe for 18 years and advises companies on all types of
international trade issues, including US trade litigation and access to US
markets. "Our decision to open an office in Beijing reflects the firm's
longstanding and continuing commitment to serving clients in this market,"
said Mr. Emerson. "Steptoe will provide advice to companies participating in
the Chinese market as well as Chinese companies doing business beyond China's
borders."
Joining Mr. Emerson in the China practice is Susan Munro, a new partner
who recently joined Steptoe from the Shanghai office of a major international
law firm. "It is a particular pleasure to welcome Susan to the firm. She
brings more than ten years of experience in China where in addition to her
legal capabilities, her business acumen will be of significant benefit to our
clients," said Mr. Emerson.
Ms. Munro has spent more than ten years advising financial institutions,
multinational companies, and investment funds on business and investment
issues. Her experience includes advising clients on market entry and exit
strategies, acquisitions, and regulatory matters. She also has conducted
numerous FCPA and earnings management investigations and represented clients
in arbitrations and cross border litigation.
Ms. Munro is a solicitor qualified in England & Wales and is a
non-practicing barrister called to the Bar of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. She graduated in
Chinese from the University of London and also has an LLB degree. After
graduating Ms. Munro undertook postgraduate studies at Fudan University in
Shanghai, where she is an arbitrator of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission.
Another key member of the firm's China practice is Ying Huang, who has
spent seven years as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Steptoe's Washington, D.C.
office. Ms. Huang has played an important role in the firm's market access
initiatives.
The firm's office is located at China Central Place, 29th Floor, Tower 2,
79 Jianguo Road in the Chaoyang District of Beijing.
About Steptoe & Johnson LLP
In more than 60 years of practice, Steptoe & Johnson LLP has earned an
international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before
governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and
creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has
offices in Beijing, Brussels, Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New
York, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit
SOURCE: Steptoe & Johnson LLP
CONTACT: Jamie Moss,
NewsPros,
+1-201-493-1027, or
Eric Emerson,
Managing Partner,
Beijing Office,
Steptoe & Johnson LLP,
(86) 10 5834 1000, or
Jennifer Quasdorf,
International Business Development Manager,
Steptoe & Johnson LLP
+1-202-778-3576
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