Legal expert David Atnip was invited by the SIAS to give a lecture on April 15, 2015. Since 2003, Atnip has provided business consulting and training services to various law firms, banks and PR companies.

In his lecture, Atnip introduced the development and modus operandi of foreign law firms in China, paying particular attention to the problems and challenges that these firms have faced. He told the story of the first foreign law firms to operate here, as they arrived and set up offices as early as the 1990s. 

According to Atnip, a great number of foreign law firms entered China after the country’s accession to the WTO. In the wake of the global economic crisis of 2008, a new influx of law firms came to explore opportunities. He went on to analyze what triggered the phenomenon and the impact of it. Finally, Atnip addressed the challenges these firms may face as they develop in the future.