News Article

Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., a member of Womble Carlyle's Baltimore office and former Governor of Maryland, highlighted Womble Carlyle's China initiative in remarks to more than 100 business and government leaders Thursday at the Chinese Embassy in Washington. Womble Carlyle launched its successful China initiative in 2007 to strengthen relations between industries in the U.S. and China.

"The future is now for U.S.-China business relations," said Governor Ehrlich. "China is America's second largest trading partner and industries in both countries are becoming increasingly intertwined. Womble Carlyle is meeting these trends head on to give our clients the competitive edge in business litigation, intellectual property, life sciences, government relations, and government contracts, among other innovative disciplines."

In 2007, Womble Carlyle took the extraordinary step of sending a delegation of attorneys on a 14-day trade mission to China. The initiative is already paying dividends. Recently, Womble Carlyle helped broker a deal in which a Chinese manufacturer will build a $30 million assembly plant in Georgia.

Thursday’s "Gateway to China" forum was sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce of Virginia. Other speakers included Minister Counselor Zhang Ping of the Chinese Embassy and U.S. Representative Tom Davis of Virginia.

Governor Ehrlich’s experience with China dates back more than a decade when he traveled to meet with key business leaders in China as a United States Congressman. He also led a delegation of business executives on a mission to China as Governor of Maryland. Together with Governor Jim Hunt of Womble Carlyle’s Raleigh office, he has called on his extensive contacts and knowledge of China to help the firm’s clients succeed.

Also in attendance from Womble Carlyle were Jerry Boykin, a member of the firm’s business litigation practice in Tysons Corner; Guanming Fang, a corporate and securities attorney in the firm's Atlanta office; Randy Hanson, a corporate and securities attorney in the Greensboro office; Zion Levi, tax partner in the Washington, D.C. office; and Greg Massoni, a member of the firm’s strategic communications team in Baltimore.

(L to R): Jerry Boykin, U.S. Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, Governor Ehrlich, and Minister Counselor Zhang from the Chinese Embassy photo courtesy of the Chinese Embassy