Shanghai

Suite 1207, 12th Floor Tower One
Shanghai Kerry Centre
1515 Nanjing Road West
Shanghai 200040
People’s Republic of China
F +86 21 6103 6363

Established in 2004, our Shanghai office has built a reputation for exceptional client service and outstanding results. We offer you the insights, knowledge and legal expertise needed to navigate the opportunities and challenges of the world’s most populous city.

Global companies choose to operate and invest in Shanghai for a number of reasons – whether for its location, or its vital role in sectors such as logistics, transportation and services. It is also a major financial center and leader of art, culture, hospitality and service.

Familiar with the pressures of this intensely competitive business environment and the mechanics of the region, our Shanghai team collaborates closely with our offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo. 

Why Choose Us 

  • Our Shanghai office brings you astute and creative counsel spanning automotive, aerospace and aviation, life sciences, retail and manufacturing, energy and utilities, technology and media, among many other industries. 
  • The team is made up of PRC-, EU- and US-qualified professionals and has established relationships with a network of local PRC law firms throughout China. 
  • We are recognized as leaders in our respective fields by bodies including The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Chambers Asia Pacific, PLC Which Lawyer? and IFLR1000. In addition, Shanghai Star Business Journal has named the office as one of the top 10 law offices in the city.
  • Our office managing partner in Shanghai has more than 20 years’ experience in international transactions in Asia, Europe and the US. He has served as lead counsel on numerous joint ventures, acquisitions, dispositions and restructurings throughout mainland China and the region. 
Award Mouse thought multimedia interface book medal screen monitor

Competition – Antitrust

We regularly counsel on competition filings in connection with business combinations, as well as price fixing and restraints on competition.

Compliance

We provide regular coordination of compliance audits to develop risk assessment programs in regard to anti-bribery laws. We also counsel on the Foreign Corruption Practice Act and UK Bribery Act issues.

Corporate 

With decades of experience handling sophisticated transactions of all kinds in the US and Europe, as well as China, we combine a strong understanding of the rules of engagement with a mastery of the finer details.

Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology 

In recent years, China has been one of the leading sources of counterfeit goods seized by US customs officials. However, IP protection in China is evolving from a reactive, penalties-driven approach to a more adaptive approach. We can work closely with you to develop integrated strategies that take into account all legal and operational factors: human resources, factory use, research and development, third parties and sales/ purchasing. We counsel on rights and registrations, complex licensing arrangements and transfers of IP rights. 

Labor and Employment 

Because all employment relationships are contractual in China, employers must make sure they understand the terms governing their relationships with their PRC employees and include all the employment agreement protections they need. In these areas, we offer management support, including advice on employee handbooks and dealing with unions and labor representatives. We also have considerable insight into terminations and reductions in force.

Real Estate 

In the rapidly changing legal environment relating to foreign investment in real estate, you can draw on our worldwide resources to ensure success in your transactions. We provide assistance on day-to-day management skills using experienced international negotiators and multilingual support staff. Whether you are a China-based investor interested in cross-border real estate projects or a foreign client interested in real estate financing in China, our highly capable team can handle the matter efficiently.

Regulated Industries

We offer advice on customs and trade matters in China. Our lawyers have represented foreign companies before PRC customs authorities on a wide range of matters from valuation and classification to smuggling, inspection and regulatory compliance. We also advise China-based companies on similar matters across the globe.

Tax Strategy and Benefits 

We regularly counsel clients on structuring onshore and offshore holding companies to minimize taxes in the host country. We have worked with nearly all the tax treaties that support investment into China and provide for tax-advantaged exit strategies. We have designed special structures to comply with China’s restrictions on foreign investments and commercial arrangements to comply with local transfer pricing requirements. Through our deep local knowledge, we often negotiate more favorable terms than would be possible by practices less experienced in PRC tax matters. We also provide comprehensive advice on income tax and VAT.

{{insights.date}} {{insights.type}} {{insights.contentTypeTag}}