Loeb & Loeb Expands Beijing Presence

Loeb & Loeb is pleased to announce the arrival of James Zimmerman and Scott Palmer to the firm's Beijing office as partners on Friday, Nov. 1. Zimmerman and Palmer, along with a team of 15 lawyers, paralegals, and IP specialists, join Loeb & Loeb from Perkins Coie LLP. As part of the move, and subject to regulatory approvals, Loeb & Loeb also anticipates assuming ownership and control of a dedicated intellectual property agency from Perkins Coie. The agency is expected to be managed by Palmer and support the group’s intellectual property practice.

Based in China for nearly 30 years, Zimmerman advises foreign companies on corporate, transactional, regulatory, litigation and white collar criminal defense matters, with a focus on the media, music, film and television industries. He frequently advises foreign media on security matters, press freedoms and general operational issues in China, and manages high profile cases involving individuals detained and prosecuted under local law and regulations. Zimmerman is a former four term chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, and author of the acclaimed non-fiction work, The Peking Express: The Bandits Who Stole a Train, Stunned the West, and Broke the Republic of China. 

Palmer focuses his practice on intellectual property matters across a broad range of industries. He advises in the areas of brand development, advertising and product quality, patent licensing and litigation, and manages anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy enforcement and litigation projects for his clients. He regularly counsels clients on trade secrets, personal rights, customs enforcement and cross-border IP litigation, and he also advises on license approvals and regulatory compliance matters, including before the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Palmer serves as co-chair of the AmCham China Legal Affairs Committee, and Chair of the ABA China IP Issues Committee. Palmer brings with him one of the most prominent brand protection practices in Asia. He is recognized by Chambers Global and Chambers Greater China Region as a Leading Lawyer, and is recognized by Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000, Managing IP (IP Stars), World IP Review (WIPR Leaders), World Trademark Review (WTR 1000), and the China Business Law Journal.  

“Loeb is a top firm in the intellectual property and brand protection space and has a stellar reputation in the industry,” said Palmer. “I look forward to joining this esteemed group of lawyers and to continue helping global clients navigate the intellectual property protection landscape in China.” 

“Loeb has had a strong presence in Asia for many years and we have always known them as leaders in this region,” said Zimmerman. “The firm has significant cross-border experience in Asia, which will allow us to strengthen and grow our work helping foreign companies do business in the region.”

The arrival of Palmer and Zimmerman support the firm’s efforts to expand its services in Beijing and Asia and follows the May arrival of capital markets partners Shirley Lau and Polly Liu in Hong Kong. 

 “With more than half a century of combined experience in the region, James and Scott have the vision and staying power to serve American and foreign businesses operating on the ground in China,” said Lawrence Venick, managing partner of Loeb & Loeb’s Hong Kong and Beijing offices. “We share a commitment to the region, which is what differentiates Loeb from the pack.”

Palmer earned his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and B.A. from Northern Arizona University. Zimmerman earned his J.D. from University of San Diego School of Law, and his M.B.A. and B.A. degrees from University of California, Irvine.