Small Newport Beach Law Firm Acquired for Asian Connections

NEWPORT BEACH — In a move to expand its Pacific Rim business, a large Los Angeles law firm Thursday acquired Djang, O’Kain & Joy, a small Orange County law firm that has strong ties with Asian businesses.

Edward Djang, a principal in the Newport Beach firm, will head the new international practice of Adams Duque & Hazeltine. He and three other lawyers will be based in the company’s Newport Beach and Los Angeles offices.

The other principals--Jeffrey Joy and Alan O’Kain--have established their own firm, O’Kain & Joy, in Irvine. Joy, who specializes in international tax, said the old firm was financially successful but because “Djang wanted to join a large firm and we didn’t,” they decided to part ways.

Adams Duque, one of Los Angeles’ older firms, has 120 lawyers with branches in San Francisco, San Diego and New York. Attorneys within the firm said the acquisition will strengthen its growing Pacific Rim practice.

“We have some large clients in the Pacific Rim area that we’ve been representing for several years, and we’re looking for opportunities to expand in that area,” said James Fitzgerald, a partner at the firm.

Some major Japanese clients include Seibu Co. Ltd., one of Japan’s largest retailers; Mitsubishi Bank Ltd. and Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank Ltd.