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BMD set to open its first international office
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 23, 2012
Since opening its doors in 2000, Akron-based Brennan, Manna & Diamond LLC has been growing steadily, and this spring it will open its first international office in Shanghai, China.
“We are increasingly living in a global market, and China is a very big part of that,” said Anthony Manna, Brennan, Manna & Diamond chairman and founding member. “We need to be able to market our legal services accordingly, and the only way to represent a client correctly is to have a presence in the market.
“Shanghai is the financial center of mainland China, so it is the right place to start.”
For Manna the idea of expanding internationally was a natural progression. He also serves as chairman and CEO at the private equity firm Signet Enterprises LLC, which includes an international arm that handles strategic initiatives and affiliations for clients in Asia and Australia.
“My business ventures in Asia allowed me to recognize the growing need for legal services, and I believe the firm can help fill the void.”
Although Brennan, Manna & Diamond began its operations with just seven attorneys in the Akron office, there are now more than 50 attorneys in the firm practicing in three offices, including two in Florida, one in Jacksonville and one in Bonita Springs.
The Shanghai office is set to open in April in the downtown financial district, with Akron attorney John Tang serving as managing partner.
Tang joined the firm in 2007 after graduating from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. A native of Shanghai, he is fluent in the language and culture, which will allow him to hit the ground running.
“Tony first discussed the idea with me when I was hired, and I have been anxiously waiting for the opportunity to arise,” said Tang, who focuses on handling corporate structuring, international trade and mergers and acquisitions. “I think now is the right time since more of our clients have begun to do business in China, and we can provide a lot of value in the middle market.”
While Tang will be the only attorney in the office, he will have support staff to help him. His primary work will involve representing companies in the United States that are doing business in China as well as offering legal advice to Chinese companies looking to set up operations in the U.S.
“Our plan within the first two or three years is to bring on a licensed Chinese attorney or acquire a smaller Chinese firm so that we can expand our operations.
“On a personal note, I am hoping to explore some of the outside business opportunities that are opening up. It will be an exciting time that is for sure.”
Associate Veronica Jiajia Xu will be filling Tang’s shoes in the business and corporate and litigation practice groups in the Akron office. She started at the firm in the beginning of January.
Like Tang, she is a native of Shanghai, and is fluent in the language and culture. She will be working with Tang on litigation and corporate matters that arise in China, as well as enlisting his help with clients in the U.S. that are doing business in China.
Prior to joining Brennan, Manna & Diamond, Xu worked for a private law firm in Westlake, Ohio where she focused primarily on business transactions and immigration.
“I’m very excited about being part of the firm’s expansion into the Chinese market. My hope is that Brennan, Manna & Diamond will not only be one of the biggest firms in Shanghai, but that they might also expand to Beijing and other first and second tier cities in the future.”
Xu said she would also be happy to join Tang in the Shanghai office if needed in the future.
“Most of my family are still living in Shanghai,” said Xu.
“I would like to have a role in building the practice there so that when people in China think about investment and international business, they think of Brennan, Manna & Diamond first because we provide economical, high-quality services.”