China Coverage When You Need It.  We are one of a few international firms who have resources to serve our clients on a 24/7 basis on issues throughout the Pacific Rim through its offices in Shanghai, Los Angeles, and Hamburg. With specialists throughout China, the United States and Europe, there is always a Bryan Cave professional available to advise on China-related issues when client needs arise. Chambers ranks Bryan Cave as one of the leading international trade firms in Asia.

Our Shanghai office primarily represents business clients in mergers and acquisitions, inbound and outbound investment, commercial contracts, government agency advocacy and controversies, cross-border intellectual property issues, dispute resolution and arbitration, labor and employment, infrastructure, construction, energy projects and customs advocacy throughout China as well as international trade disputes and anti-corruption investigations. Bryan Cave also acts as Chinese regional counsel to a number of US multinational companies and advises China-based clients on intra-regional transactions.

Bryan Cave’s China Practice Group in our Los Angeles and Hamburg offices focus on these issues as well as cross-border mergers and acquisitions. We represent US and European companies bringing their brands of products and services to capitalize on China’s estimated 250 million middle and upper class consumers. Our team has more than a decade of experience working with private equity funds invested in major technology and infrastructure projects involving China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia and Japan. Our China labor and employment team includes members in California and has extensive experience in structuring and harmonizing international employment and benefits arrangements.

Two Decades of Experience in China. Many of Bryan Cave’s lawyers and advisors have two decades of experience in China business and investment, and they advise leading companies, institutions and governmental authorities in China regarding cross-border transactions, major infrastructure projects, financing arrangements, international arbitrations, and corporate restructurings. Our team includes former in-house counsels of major energy firms and PRC conglomerates. Advice is also given regularly to major international corporations and mid-size and smaller companies in connection with their investments, projects and ongoing business operations in China.

The Law Affecting Your Business. We regularly establish wholly foreign-owned enterprises, foreign invested commercial enterprises, and branch/representative offices across China. Our team advises US and European investors in the development, sale and purchase of residential and commercial real estate, including hotels, power stations, toll roads and other infrastructure projects in China. We negotiate and prepare transaction documents running from complex joint ventures and acquisition agreements, to supply agreements, licenses, development agreements and other intellectual property and commercial transactions. Our team also frequently advises clients on the international bilateral tax treaty and PRC tax implications of their contemplated investment or business activities in China.

We defend US and other foreign companies in administrative and regulatory matters where their activities are being investigated by various PRC government agencies. We represent our clients in discussions with agencies such as the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Administration of Taxation and the General Administration of Customs. We maintain a network of consultants who team with Bryan Cave on matters related to the central government in Beijing as well as in key provinces and municipalities.

Local Coverage Across China Through Exclusive Alliance with Alpha & Leader.  In matters that require Chinese court appearances, our alliance with Chinese law firm Alpha & Leader allows our clients to benefit from both firms’ international experience and local knowledge. Alpha & Leader lawyers appear as lawyers of record and consult with their Bryan Cave colleagues to achieve effective results. Alpha & Leader lawyers are highly experienced in real estate and financing transactions and regularly represent major financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and DBS (Singapore) in China. Alpha & Leader has more than 120 lawyers in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, as well as secondary cities in China.

Through the alliance, Bryan Cave has affiliated offices in Beijing and Guangzhou. Bryan Cave’s teaming approach, using lawyers based in China in conjunction with those in the US, Middle East, and London offices, allows the firm to provide coordinated advice on both the local and international aspects of transactions and to staff projects in an efficient and cost effective manner.