Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton celebrated its Shanghai office opening today — even thought the office officially opened in March.
Why the wait?
Shanghai |
It’s all about the feng shui, says Sheppard’s William Zheng, a senior counsel in Shanghai.
The ancient Chinese practice of arranging space to achieve harmony with the environment largely drove today’s opening, he said in an interview with Legal Pad from China.
“A feng shui master came in with his gadgets and figured out the date,” Zheng said. “In China, everything is about feng shui.”
Prayers at a Buddhist temple, Shanghai 2006. |
And that means the building itself, too. The new office is housed in the Raffles City Office Tower in Shanghai's Huangpu District, in a building constructed by Singaporeans. And that’s enough to give Sheppard attorneys added confidence about their structure’s harmonious design.
“We heard they’re deep into feng shui, too,” Zheng said.
Supports of the ancient practice say that it can affect everything from health to personal relationships— including those related to achieving political power.
If so, maybe the office is off to auspicious start. Among the grand opening festivities today: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched the opening reception with a pre-recorded statement wishing the firm success in Shanghai.
— Kellie Schmitt
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