Minter Ellison is investigating the possibility of opening a Beijing office, Chief Executive Partner John Weber has revealed. "Beijing is a priority for us, and we're currently looking at opening a small office there that will help us grow workflows from that market," said Weber. 

Beyond Beijing, Weber said that the firm was "cautious" about opening further offices offshore and that the preferred method was to service new markets by flying in teams or by utilising long-standing relationships with intermediaries and other law firms.

Minter Ellison has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and London and also has a presence in Auckland and Wellington through Minter Ellison Rudd Watts. The firm said that it would be premature to discuss the Beijing plans further while plans were still underway.