After almost four years in Shanghai, the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges finally looks set to open a Hong Kong office next month. The opening will make Weil the last of New York City's five largest law firms to open a Hong Kong office.




Several news sources (including Bloomburg, the American Bar Association Journal, and Legal Week) are reporting that the Weil firm received approval to open a Hong Kong office late last month and has already selected a team for the office's start up: two New York partners, Akiko Mikumo and Peter feist; a Shanghai partner, David Meredith; and as yet unnamed two associates.

Private equity will be a major focus of the firm's Hong Kong practice. Weil's New York office is heavily involved in private equity law and consultation. The firm has about 1,200 attorneys.

With an office in Shanghai already and one opening in Hong Kong, Weil expects to open offices in Beijing and possibly Tokyo before too long.