Baker McKenzie FenXun‘s Hong Kong and PRC-based team comprises specialists in corporate and government-led investigations, anti-corruption, and compliance issues. The practice is also expert in cross-border US work, as well as local regulatory and enforcement matters; and its sector specialisms cover technology, healthcare, entertainment, consumer goods, retail, and financial services. Hong Kong-based Mini vandePol heads the Asia-Pacific investigations, compliance and ethics offering. Also in Shanghai (at Baker McKenzie’s joint operation firm FenXun Partners), cross-border compliance and regulatory practitioner Henry Chen focuses on bribery, corruption and fraud; and Kailin Wang advises multinational, listed and private companies on compliance.
Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms in China
Baker McKenzie
Responsables de la pratique:
Mini vandePol
Autres avocats clés:
Henry Chen; Kailin Wang
Les références
‘Their biggest feature is global collaboration, and they can quickly provide support for cross-border projects. Their wide business coverage also allows clients to use them for almost all cases (unless there is a conflict of interest).’
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Home to experts in corporate investigations and anti-corruption, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is consistently mandated by global private equity sponsors, asset managers and multinational corporations, as well as Chinese companies facing serious allegations of improper conduct. The team of ‘truly exceptional compliance and investigation lawyers’ is particularly experienced in high-stakes, cross-border government investigations, enforcement actions and civil litigation, as well as related compliance advice. In Shanghai, Tiana Zhang is a specialist in US and China-related crisis management, including compliance issues, and financial fraud and trade secret theft investigations; and Yue Qiu regularly assists with compliance issues and government investigations. Over in Hong Kong, Jodi Wu‘s clients include private equity firms and multinational life sciences companies.
Responsables de la pratique:
Tiana Zhang; Jodi Wu
Autres avocats clés:
Jodi Wu; Grace Zhu
Les références
‘This is the best compliance and investigation team around.’
‘Clients are extremely impressed with the exceptional skills and expertise demonstrated by these compliance and investigation lawyers.’
‘Their thoughtfulness and attention to detail when handling complex legal matters are truly commendable.’
White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP‘s corporate investigations team in China routinely assists with the prevention and resolution of regulatory and criminal enforcement matters, as well as investigations and associated civil claims (both in China and globally). Providing notable support from Hong Kong, James Hsiao is experienced in international anti-corruption investigations, anti-money laundering, risk management, and regulatory and compliance issues. Anti-corruption investigation and compliance practitioner Bob Li is the key name in Beijing. Bingna Guo left the firm in October 2024.
Autres avocats clés:
James Hsiao; Bob Li
Les références
‘The team is extremely efficient and serious.’
Principaux clients
Audit Committee of ZTO Express
Audit Committee of GigaCloud Technology
Audit Committee of Full Truck Alliance Co
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Goldman Sachs (Asia)
Jio Platforms
Cloopen Group Holding
Principaux dossiers
- Represented the audit committee of GigaCloud in an independent investigation into certain allegations, which were raised by a short seller report regarding alleged falsified financial statements, under-reported labour costs, undisclosed related party transactions, and other accounting irregularities.
- Advised Goldman Sachs (Asia) on multiple compliance matters involving investments in Chinese targets.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright's team in Shanghai assists both international and Chinese clients with financial services, asset management and insurance-related regulatory matters. It also fields experts in compliance audits and internal investigations. The practice additionally covers the regulatory side to corporate transactions, as well as risk assessments for emerging areas such as cybersecurity, data privacy and sanctions. With longstanding experience in China-related corporate and regulatory matters, Sun Hong ‘delivers great support to companies in relation to legal and compliance work’; and Ai Tong specialises in China's financial regulations. Tong’s track record includes regulatory matters involving investments in China by foreign financial institutions, such as insurance and reinsurance companies, banks, and fund and asset management companies.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sun Hong; Ai Tong
Les références
‘The firm’s lawyers have excellent language and professional skills. In recent years, the firm has also cooperated with excellent local firms to better meet the needs of clients.’
‘A world-renowned law firm with global coverage, which is crucial for multinational companies that operate globally.’
‘Pays attention to the latest developments in the legal field and shares them with clients in a timely manner, which is welcomed by clients’ legal teams.’
Principaux clients
AXA
China Re
China P&C Re
HSBC
Polen Capital
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted an international utility company with the compliance review of its practice, in relation to engaging third-party consultants for its business operation in China.
- Advised a global insurance group on multi-jurisdictional regulatory projects (where China is involved), involving anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption, corporate and management operational structures, and corporate governance (among others).
- Advised multinational financial institutions and corporations on a wide range of China-related regulatory issues.
Paul Hastings LLP
Paul Hastings LLP's China regulatory and compliance practice assists corporate clients with high-stakes government and internal investigations, as well as related compliance issues at global levels. It is particularly noted for its assistance to multinational technology, life sciences and private equity clients with compliance reviews and investigations. Working between Shanghai and Hong Kong, Shaun Wu is the firm’s Asia head of investigations and white-collar defence. Wu focuses on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Bribery Act, fraud, misconduct, bribery, corruption, sanctions, trade controls, and other regulatory issues. Over in Shanghai, litigator Phoebe Yan acts for multinational clients and Chinese life sciences companies in investigations by US and Chinese government agencies into bribery, corruption, whistleblower claims, and conflicts of interest.
Responsables de la pratique:
Shaun Wu
Autres avocats clés:
Phoebe Yan; John Tso
Les références
‘Great for the most difficult investigations.’
‘Their approach and delivery are always highly appreciated – solid quality and good responsiveness.’
Principaux clients
SAP SE
ABB
Veolia Group
Principaux dossiers
- Assisting a multinational technology corporation with internal investigations and compliance reviews, in relation to anti-bribery and anti-corruption allegations.
- Assisting a private equity and venture capital firm with internal reviews and regulatory compliance assessments, in relation to its investments and portfolio companies.
- Representing the independent committee of the board of directors of a public-listed company, in connection with allegations of fraudulent practices and falsified transactions.
A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman's financial services experts in Greater China are regularly mandated by financial institutions to advise on complex regulatory matters. Recent work includes advising on the revocation of banking licences, along with obtaining regulatory change of control approvals. Shanghai-based Jane Jiang from Lang Yue Law Firm (the firm’s joint operation partner in China) assists large financial institutions with significant transactions and regulatory issues. Internal and regulatory investigations specialist Matt Bower heads up the Hong Kong litigation team.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jane Jiang; Matt Bower
Autres avocats clés:
Fai Hung Cheung; Karen Chan
Clifford Chance LLP
Clifford Chance LLP's regulatory and compliance team covers financial regulatory issues, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, sanctions, export control, data privacy, and cybersecurity. Working across the Hong Kong and Shanghai offices, Terry Yang advises financial institutions, market participants and industry bodies on Greater China and international regulatory matters; and mainland China managing partner Lei Shi heads up the firm’s Greater China anti-bribery, anti-corruption, sanctions and export control practice. Shi’s sector expertise encompasses financial institutions, private equity, TMT, consumer goods, and healthcare.
Responsables de la pratique:
Terry Yang; Lei Shi
Autres avocats clés:
Feifei Yu
DLA Piper
Notably experienced in cross-border issues where the firm can leverage its extensive global network, DLA Piper's China team focuses on compliance reviews, regulatory advice, and internal and regulatory investigations. A large proportion of the group’s workload covers white-collar crime, internal fraud, anti-bribery and anti-corruption investigations; and the practice is increasingly involved in cybercrime-related reviews and investigations. Sammy Fang heads the compliance and investigations team from Hong Kong; while Rose Le assists with investigations and compliance matters from Shanghai.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sammy Fang
Autres avocats clés:
Rose Le; Christine Liu; Liuyi Pang
Les références
‘Deep knowledge of China supply chains and sector focus – transferable knowledge and deep bench.’
‘They make clients feel like they are their Number 1 client and they would pull out all the stops for clients’ matters.’
‘Adept at handling complex and sensitive corporate matters.’
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Hogan Lovells International LLP's corporate investigations and anti-corruption workload encompasses assessments of clients’ risk exposure to regulators and responding to regulators’ actions. The team is particularly experienced in relation to the life sciences, healthcare and technology sectors. The Greater China investigations, white-collar and fraud practice is led from Shanghai by US-trained investigations lawyer Calvin Ding, an expert in regulatory issues, compliance and internal and government investigations, as well as corruption, conflicts of interest, trade compliance and cybersecurity incidents.
Responsables de la pratique:
Calvin Ding
Principaux clients
ZTE Corporation
Latham & Watkins LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP‘s China regulatory and compliance team assists multinational companies and financial institutions with high-stakes investigations and enforcement actions. Heading up the China litigation and investigations practice from Beijing, Hui Xu regularly handles multi-jurisdictional investigations involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Chinese bribery laws and financial crimes, along with negotiating settlements with regulators in the US and China. Also in Beijing, Sean Wu acts for global and Chinese companies in major investigations and disputes.
Responsables de la pratique:
Hui Xu
Autres avocats clés:
Sean Wu
Principaux clients
Sinovac Biotech
AO Smith Corporation
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s China team covers anti-corruption issues, regulatory compliance, and investigations into alleged employee and third-party malfeasance. It also conducts due diligence for proposed acquisitions, including employment aspects, and assists with acquisitions requiring upgrades to compliance standards. The principal figures are Beijing and Tokyo-based Lesli Ligorner, whose corporate investigations workload closely aligns with her employment practice; anti-corruption specialist Todd Liao, who work between Shanghai and Boston; and securities and white-collar crime expert Charles Mo in Hong Kong. Bingna Guo joined the team from White & Case LLP, Shanghai Office in October 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lesli Ligorner; Todd Liao; Charles Mo
Autres avocats clés:
Margaret Luo; Bill Huang; Bingna Guo
Pinsent Masons
Pinsent Masons' China compliance team is consistently mandated by Chinese SOEs for cross-border compliance and investigations work involving Belt and Road Initiative projects. Global China practice executive Feifei Zheng in Beijing acts for Chinese and international engineering businesses on international compliance matters. Also in Beijing, corporate compliance lawyer Samon Sun (an April 2024 hire from Fangda Partners) specialises in anti-corruption and anti-bribery work, along with economic sanctions, export controls and sanctions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Feifei Zheng
Autres avocats clés:
Samon Sun
Ashurst
Ashurst's Greater China financial regulatory practice covers all aspects of China financial services regulation. Working across the firm’s Beijing and Hong Kong offices, Patrick Phua assists international and PRC banks, sovereign wealth funds, exchanges and securities houses (among others) with regulatory issues and investigations. Over in Hong Kong, Tracy Wang advises major international financial institutions, securities brokers, stock exchanges, credit rating agencies and inter-dealer brokers on financial regulatory matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Patrick Phua
Autres avocats clés:
Tracy Wang
CMS
CMS' sector expertise includes pharmaceuticals, biotech, technology, energy, and logistics. The firm’s compliance practice in China is led by Shanghai-based Philipp Senff, who advises on compliance audits, risk assessments, internal investigations, whistleblower management and corporate governance. Senff additionally assists with the implementation of compliance management systems. Also in Shanghai, Lei Shi focuses on compliance and investigations. Former Beijing and Hong Kong managing partner Nicholas Beckett departed the firm in April 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Philipp Senff
Autres avocats clés:
Jeanette Yu; Lei Shi
Les références
‘CMS’ PRC and Hong Kong regulatory assistance is invaluable.’
‘They consistently and helpfully report on the legal and regulatory changes that help clients stay ahead of the curve.’
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is consistently mandated for significant investigations and enforcement matters. The practice covers white-collar crime, regulatory investigations, trade sanctions, anti-money laundering, and compliance. In addition to the firm’s notable financial services expertise, the team assists with healthcare and energy-related regulatory investigations. The group is led from Hong Kong by cross-border criminal and regulatory specialist Kyle Wombolt. Investigations expert David Chen, who divides his time between Hong Kong and Shanghai, is an October 2023 recruit from Ropes & Gray LLP.
Responsables de la pratique:
Kyle Wombolt
Autres avocats clés:
David Chen; Hannah Cassidy
Les références
‘HSF’s corporate investigations, regulatory and compliance practice is a premier practice of its kind in Asia.’
‘What clients appreciate most about them is the high-quality, tremendous experience and weight of authority that they bring to matters, which is unrivalled by any other law firm in that region.’
‘The team is led by Kyle Wombolt in Hong Kong and the service Kyle and his team provide to their clients is first rate.’
Linklaters
Particularly focused on financial regulatory matters, Linklaters' practice covers initial licensing and establishment matters, conduct of business, systems and controls, along with governance, regulatory changes, market disclosures, and investigations. In Hong Kong, Andrew Chung is experienced in internal and government authority-related investigations, in relation to financial crime, corruption, fraud, money laundering, and international sanctions; and Carl Fernandes focuses on the scope of licensing requirements in the context of cross-border business.
Responsables de la pratique:
Carl Fernandes; Andrew Chung
Les références
‘They are highly responsive, commercially minded, and provide practical (yet thought-through) analysis and advice.’
‘Andrew Chung and his team are detail oriented and have excellent experience in handling a broad range of complex regulatory and compliance matters.’
‘Andrew Chung’s familiarity with regulatory issues and knowledge of how financial institutions operate make him a key lawyer to consider for regulatory investigations or compliance matters.’
Morrison Foerster
Headed by Hong Kong-based corporate investigations and anti-corruption expert Timothy Blakely, Morrison Foerster‘s China team is experienced in major investigations and regulatory compliance. The practice covers economic sanctions, anti-money laundering, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), governance, corporate compliance, and securities and accounting fraud. In Shanghai, Derik Rao focuses on compliance, regulatory and white-collar matters (along with FCPA investigations), in relation to the financial, healthcare, technology, telecoms and cryptocurrency sectors.
Responsables de la pratique:
Timothy Blakely
Autres avocats clés:
Derik Rao; Chen Zhu; Gary Zeng
Ropes & Gray LLP
With sector expertise in technology, healthcare, life sciences, real estate, retail and private equity, Ropes & Gray LLP routinely handles high volumes of government and internal investigations involving major corporations and investors. Working between Hong Kong and Singapore, Andrew Dale acts for US and global corporations in corporate investigations; and dividing his time between Boston and Hong Kong, Geoffrey Atkins is an expert in civil and criminal anti-corruption and securities enforcement.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Dale
Autres avocats clés:
Geoffrey Atkins; Tina Yu
Les références
‘Experts in their fields and in complex, cross-jurisdiction matters.’
‘Trusted advisers.’
‘Geoffrey Atkins is extremely capable in this practice area.’
Sidley Austin LLP
Sidley Austin LLP's compliance and government enforcement team assists with a range of compliance and investigation matters in China, the US and EU. The group’s expertise covers anti-corruption, cybersecurity, data privacy, and international trade, including economic sanctions and export control issues. Working across the Beijing and Hong Kong offices, Lei Li, a former China’s senior government lawyer for China’s central government, handles high-profile regulatory and enforcement work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lei Li
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
The US-qualified team at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has significant expertise in litigation, investigations and compliance. It is particularly experienced in defending Chinese companies against US regulators’ enquiries and related investigations. Hong Kong-based Steve Kwok assists with internal investigations and US regulatory enforcement matters, as well as trial and appellate litigation in US federal and state courts. Also in Hong Kong, Beatriz Paterno acts in internal corporate investigations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Steve Kwok
Autres avocats clés:
Beatriz Paterno; Siyu Zhang
Les références
‘The team’s strengths and key capabilities are in defending Chinese companies in US regulatory enforcement matters and US federal and state court litigation.’
‘Steve Kwok stands out.’