Asia Pacific

Our Services

The lawyers in Sonnenschein’s Asia Pacific Practice have vast experience and capabilities in cross-border matters ranging from high-stakes litigation and trade disputes to some of the largest and most complex corporate transactions in the world.

Our lawyers understand the intricacies of the various business, economic and political climates and protocols in Asia and are able to draft, negotiate and close deals effectively and efficiently in multiple Asian languages.  Many of our lawyers have lived and represented clients in Asian countries, and our language capabilities include Japanese and Korean, as well as various Chinese dialects, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Taiwanese.  We counsel clients in both inbound and outbound business dealings involving China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, India and other parts of the Asia Pacific region.

We represent major Asian companies in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, real estate acquisitions and financing, tax planning, wealth management, intellectual property management and prosecution, licensing, contracts, outsourcing, labor/employment, ERISA, international trade proceedings, environmental/green issues, risk analysis, anti-dumping, distribution and franchising, insurance regulation, competition law, customs, import/export trade, arbitration/mediation and litigation. 

The lawyers in our Asia Pacific Practice also represent clients based in the U.S., Europe and other parts of the world in connection with their investments, outsourcing arrangements and other business activities throughout Asia.

Our China Focus

As investment opportunities in China multiply, U.S. companies increasingly are seeking ways to develop business there.  At the same time, Chinese companies are eagerly seeking to expand their business presence in the U.S.  Our lawyers, with their in-depth knowledge of the laws and cultures of both countries, are well positioned to advise U.S. and European clients doing business — or seeking to do business — in China, as well as Chinese enterprises with business interests in the U.S.  Our bilingual and bicultural lawyers are experienced in the intricacies of Chinese law and the Chinese governmental process, as well as in multiple areas of U.S. domestic law.

Sonnenschein also has close working relationships with leading Chinese law firms in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other major cities, and has established relationships with investment banks, accounting firms and consultants in the region.  These professional ties enhance our ability to serve our clients in China. 

Members of our Asia Pacific Practice focus on minimizing risk and maximizing business opportunity.  Working as an integrated team, we provide experienced counseling with respect to the complex issues that our clients need to take into account to succeed in a global business environment.  Whether you are considering a China joint venture, evaluating a venture capital investment, assessing your outsourcing needs or contemplating a major acquisition, we provide sophisticated and integrated transactional and dispute resolution services and clear guidance on regulatory compliance.  Our goal is to help you conduct your business in China with confidence.
Some of our key practice areas include the following:

• Foreign direct investments:  Members of our team have represented many multinationals with respect to their investments in China, ranging from establishment of joint ventures to formation of wholly foreign-owned enterprises.  We also counsel these clients with respect to their operating matters and exit strategies.
• Mergers and acquisitions:  We have represented many major companies, private equity funds and investment banks involved in M&A activities in China.  We also have represented Chinese and Taiwanese companies in major asset or stock acquisitions in the U.S.
• Venture capital financing:  We have substantial experience representing venture funds and private equity funds in an array of services, including fund formation, early and late-stage equity investments, buyouts and mezzanine financings.  We also have experience working with hi-tech startups in China and U.S.-based startups with operations in China.
• Corporate finance and securities offerings:  We have represented Chinese companies with respect to both private and public offerings of debt and equity.  Members of our Asia Pacific Practice also have acted as issuer’s counsel and underwriter’s counsel for Chinese and Taiwanese companies in their U.S. listings.
• Intellectual property:  We have counseled clients on technology licensing transactions in China and have assisted many multinationals in the prosecution and protection of their trademarks and patents in China.
• Dispute resolution:  Our litigators have substantial experience in cross-border litigation.  We have represented Chinese and U.S. clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitration and have close working relationships with local Chinese counsel.
• Outsourcing:  We have represented vendors and customers in the structuring, documentation, evaluation, and negotiation of complex outsourcing arrangements.
• Franchising/distribution:  We have counseled hotel chains, restaurants and car rental companies with respect to their operations in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and elsewhere in Asia.

Benefits To You

Unsurpassed professional experience
Lawyers in our Asia Pacific Practice bring a depth of experience that emerges from decades of internationally renowned expertise in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, complex litigation and franchising/distribution law.  Our lawyers are fluent in many Asian languages (both spoken and written) and are experienced international lawyers; many have practiced both in Asia and in the U.S. 

Superior Service
Our creative approach to problem solving means that you receive superior legal representation, guidance and preventive counseling.  We take the time to understand you, your business and your Asia strategy so that we can provide customized, insightful solutions.  In turn, you gain the trust of clients, business partners and employees.

Reduced risk
We help you manage risk by aligning your business strategy with your legal risk profile.  We will help you navigate the myriad legal and regulatory barriers in Asia.

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