A Silicon Valley law firm that has represented global technology groups for decades is exploring opening a Singapore office, its first in Asia outside of greater China as geopolitical and regulatory hurdles force the firm to consider new markets. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is exploring a move into Singapore as the number of US companies doing tech deals and work in China has collapsed due to deteriorating relations between Beijing and Washington, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
Chinese president Xi Jinping’s regulatory crackdown on the tech sector has slowed dealmaking and pushed many Chinese investors and companies to expand in Singapore, said another person who had spoken to China-based employees at the law firm.
Larry Sonsini, senior partner and founder at Wilson Sonsini, told the Financial Times the firm was considering opening an office in Singapore, but said a final decision had not yet been made. It was “too early” to comment on the details, he said.