Dechert to Shutter Chicago, Beijing, and Hong Kong Offices

Dechert is closing its Chicago office, along with outposts in China and Hong Kong.

The Philadelphia-founded firm will shutter the offices near the end of the year, Dechert said Wednesday. The firm currently has nine lawyers and staff in Chicago, three in Beijing, and 14 in Hong Kong, according to its website.

“We remain committed to representing asset management firms, financial institutions and companies on issues critical to managing their business and capital—from high-stakes litigation to complex transactions and regulatory matters,” the firm said in a statement.

Several Big Law firms have been winding down operations in mainland China and Hong Kong amid deteriorating US-China relations. Some have cited an economic slowdown and harsh new data regulations.

Mayer Brown said in May that it would break away from a 160-attorney Hong Kong partnership. Winston & Strawn in December announced it was shuttering its office in Hong Kong, which has come under increasing control by China in recent years.

Dechert said it will continue to serve clients across Asia out of its Singapore office.

The firm’s Chicago office had been open since 2012.