PETALING JAYA: Local law firm David Gurupatham & Koay (DGK) has opened a new legal office in China, the first Malaysian law firm to do so.
The new office in Jinan, Shantong province, aims to serve Malaysian companies seeking business opportunities in China, as well as catering to Chinese companies with an interest in investing in Malaysia.
Located at the Lixia District in Jinan, the capital of Shandong, the newly renovated office on the 11th floor of the China Life Insurance Building is ready to receive new clients after obtaining the official authorisation licence from the Chinese Judicial Department in May 2024.
DGK Jinan was official opened on Feb 18, 2025, in conjunction with the Legal and Cross Border Business Exchange Forum.
DGK founding partner and managing director Datuk David Gurupatham said that Malaysia and China have had strong trade and cultural ties for centuries, with China being Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, culminating in bilateral trade worth US$190.24bil.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Malaysian embassy minister-counselor Lam Yook Choi, Malaysia Chinese Assembly Hall president Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai, Shandong International Chamber of Commerce secretary-general and legal representative Wei Shanshan and Shangdong Bohanyuan Law Firm partners' board chairman Huo Jianping, who is also vice-president of the Shandong International Chamber of Commerce.
“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the dignitaries present for the opening ceremony, particularly Lam.
"DGK Jinan is the first Malaysian law firm to be established in mainland China (excluding special economic zones) and represents a major milestone for a home-grown legal firm founded more than 20 years ago. Suffice to say, we are looking forward to serve our clients in China,” DGK senior partner Koay Eng Hooi said.
The scope of legal services offered by DGK Jinan include corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, construction and real estate, intellectual property, dispute resolution, international arbitration, employment law and family law.
