Firm Watch
Aug. 6, 2002
Lawyer Rejoins Preston Gates To Help Develop Asia Practice
Jim Wu spent much of the past four years in Asia directing legal affairs and developing investment opportunities for the online portal company Yahoo! Inc. These days, he's helping Preston, Gates & Ellis develop an Asia practice and perhaps open an outpost in Taiwan.
Wu, who left Seattle's Preston Gates in 1999 to join Yahoo!, rejoined the firm's San Francisco office July 1 as a partner in its corporate, business and international practice groups.
While at Yahoo!, Wu helped the company acquire kimo.com, Taiwan's largest online portal. The deal's value was estimated to be worth $65 million to $70 million.
Wu says his focus at Preston Gates will be on greater China, which includes Taiwan, the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong. He'll split his time between San Francisco and Taipei, where the firm has temporary quarters.
"They have the best combination of elements for a successful push in Taiwan," Wu says of his decision to join Preston Gates instead of other law firms that tried to recruit him.
Preston Gates partner Lawrence Low says Wu will help the tech-focused firm "exploit the significant connections between many parts of Asia and Silicon Valley."
Preston Gates has 400 lawyers in 10 offices, including Hong Kong. The firm is also affiliated with TransAsia Lawyers, a law firm with offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Sydney.
Staff Writer
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