Wake Up Call: Chinese Law Firms Answer the Call to Go Global

Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel.

• Chinese law firms are expanding globally to support the rising number of Chinese companies operating abroad, particularly in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The growth, driven in part by Beijing’s push to protect national interests and assets overseas, has led to a significant increase in Chinese legal offices abroad. (South China Morning Post)
• The Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge has seen a dramatic rise in legal expenses over the past decade, paying nearly $600,000 to Nixon Peabody in 2023 alone—around 15% of its total expenses. Legal fees have consistently remained in the six-figure range since 2017, coinciding with public scrutiny and regulatory reprimands over shelter practices. (Chicago Tribune)
• Reed Smith signed a lease for the entire 28th floor—30,600 square feet—in Denver’s newly completed skyscraper, 1900 Lawrence, marking a local expansion from its current 19,000-square-foot space at 1400 Wewatta Street. The lease begins in July 2026 and follows the recent completion of the 30-story, 700,000-square-foot tower. Reed Smith is the second law firm to commit to 1900 Lawrence, following Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. (BusinessDen)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Lawrence Natke joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as a partner in its fund transactions practice in New York. He joins from Fried Frank.
• Matt Caplan joined Foley & Lardner as a partner in its commercial litigation practice group in San Francisco. He joins from Cooley LLP.
• Scott Phillips joined Eckert Seamans as a member in its aviation practice in Washington. He joins from the US Agency for International Development.
• Jason Spitalnick joined Snell & Wilmer as a partner in its litigation, investigations, and trials practice group in Denver. He joins from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Tara McGrath joined Perkins Coie as a partner in its white collar and investigations practice in San Diego. She joins after serving as the US Attorney for the Southern District of California.