Perkins Coie Re-enters China With Shenzhen Office Amid Ashurst Merger Push

On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Seattle-founded law firm Perkins Coie officially announced the opening of a new representative office in Shenzhen, China. This move marks a strategic pivot and re-entry into the Chinese market just two years after the firm shuttered its Shanghai and Beijing locations in early 2024.

The Shenzhen opening is more than just a geographic expansion; it is a foundational step in the firm’s impending $2.7 billion mega-merger with Ashurst, which is set to finalize in autumn 2026.

The Shenzhen Pivot

The new Shenzhen office is designed to position the firm at the heart of China’s “Silicon Valley,” focusing on innovation, advanced manufacturing, and technology supply chains.

• Leadership: The office is led by Dr. Bing Ai (Chief Representative and Managing Partner) and Dr. Wei Yuan (Litigation Partner). Both are U.S.-trained attorneys with extensive experience in cross-border tech litigation.

• Strategic Shift: After closing its “traditional” hubs in Beijing and Shanghai in 2024, Perkins Coie initially sold its Shenzhen IP firm and Beijing team to Loeb & Loeb. This 2026 return represents a fresh, wholly-owned presence specifically tailored to support Asian tech giants navigating U.S. regulatory and legal complexities.

• Key Goal: Connecting Asia-based clients with the firm’s robust U.S. and London platforms, particularly in the areas of Intellectual Property (IP) and Litigation.

The “Ashurst Perkins Coie” Merger

The Shenzhen launch is a key component of the “Global Footprint” strategy for the soon-to-be-created Ashurst Perkins Coie.

1. A Global Top-20 Firm: The merger between London-headquartered Ashurst and U.S.-based Perkins Coie (first announced in November 2025) will create a firm of 3,000 lawyers across 52 offices and 23 countries.

2. Flagship Hubs: The combined firm will operate with four primary anchors: Seattle, London, Sydney, and New York.

3. The “Asian Network”: Shenzhen will serve as a critical link in an integrated Asian network that includes Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, and Seoul.

4. Practice Synergies: The merger unites Ashurst’s strength in infrastructure, energy, and finance with Perkins Coie’s market-leading expertise in technology and IP.

Navigating Political and Regulatory Headwinds

Perkins Coie’s expansion comes during a tumultuous period for the firm. In March 2025, the Trump administration signed Executive Order 14230, which barred the federal government from using Perkins Coie’s services and suspended security clearances for its attorneys, accusing the firm of “dishonest and dangerous activity” related to past political work.

The merger with Ashurst is seen by industry analysts as a vital “de-risking” move. By integrating into a globally integrated platform (Ashurst Perkins Coie), the firm can leverage international revenues and a non-U.S. headquarters structure to insulate itself from domestic political targeting while continuing to serve its elite tech client base (which includes Amazon, Google, and Meta).

Would you like me to look for details on the specific “Asia-based innovation clients” Perkins Coie is targeting in Shenzhen, or check for more details on the combined firm’s 2026 leadership structure?