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Signage is seen outside of the law firm Baker Botts at their legal offices in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Energy-focused U.S. law firm Baker Botts no longer has a presence in Asia, after it closed its physical office in Hong Kong. The firm’s last resident partner, Russell Wilkinson, has joined DLA Piper.

Until last year, the Houston-headquartered Baker Botts had two offices in Asia: Hong Kong (opened 2005) and Beijing (opened 2007). The firm closed its Beijing office last October. It still maintains offices in Dubai and Riyadh in the Middle East, and Moscow, Brussels and London in Europe, apart from seven U.S. offices.

Meanwhile, Wilkinson’s move to DLA means that firm has continued its recent streak of lateral hires in Hong Kong. Since November, DLA has added IP and fintech expert Kristi Swartz and capital markets specialist George Wu.

Wilkinson’s practice focuses on energy and infrastructure. He has advised on upstream and midstream petroleum projects, power generation and transmission projects.

 

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