Simmons & Simmons expands practice with new Beijing office

Law firm Simmons & Simmons LLP has expanded its presence in the Asia-Pacific region with the opening of a new office in Beijing.

Already established in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo, the firm now has five offices in the region.

David Stone, partner at Simmons & Simmons, said: “China is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Our new IP agency in Beijing allows us to represent clients directly before the Chinese trademark authorities, providing real and practical benefits for them and their businesses.”

To mark the opening of the office, the law firm has announced the appointment of George Chan as partner.

Chan specialises in the management of patent portfolios in the Asia-Pacific region, and has experience in trade secrets protection, trademark and patent prosecution, and domain name dispute resolution.

He joins from Rouse.

Hans-Hermann Aldenhoff, partner at the firm, said: “George’s appointment demonstrates our continued investment to our trademark practice and our dispute resolution group.”