The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > China > Intellectual property: foreign firms

Spread across the firm's Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai offices, Bird & Bird's Greater China IP group is highly active across the Asia Pacific region. Fielding specialists in both contentious and non-contentious IP law, the group has expertise in trade marks, patents, trade secrets, copyright and designs. It also has an enviable track record in providing strategic commercial IP advice, as well as acting in IP litigation. In addition, the practice stands out for its industry expertise, particularly in technology and innovation-driven sectors such as life sciences and healthcare. Shanghai-based Christine Yiu is highly rated for her handling of complex, high-value disputes that have cross-border elements. In Beijing, Rieko Michishita's practice includes patents, designs, trade secrets, copyright and trade marks, and managing associate Dorie Wong specialises in China IP protection strategies. Hong Kong-based Matthew Laight heads the firm's Asia Pacific IP group.

DLA Piper's broad China IP practice covers advisory, prosecution and enforcement work in relation to trade marks, copyright, patents and trade secrets. It also fields experts in IP litigation and administrative actions, IP-related commercial contracts, cybersecurity, data protection and privacy, IP-related technology transactions, and licensing and franchising. Clients additionally benefit from access to the firm's 450-plus dedicated IP lawyers across the globe. Beijing office managing partner Horace Lam, who has extensive experience in complex IP matters, co-heads the firm's Asia IP group alongside Edward Chatterton in Hong Kong, who is particularly focused on providing brand protection and enforcement advice. Over in Shanghai, William Fisher is highly regarded for patents, trade secrets, and international IP and technology-related transactions. Also on the mainland, non-contentious and contentious IP specialist Reking Chen was promoted to partner in May 2020; and senior associate-level support is provided by Ting Xiao, who is noted for patents, trade secrets and other technology-related matters.

Hogan Lovells International LLP's mainland China offices field specialists in a range of non-contentious matters; clients also benefit from the dedicated litigation service at the firm's associated Shanghai-based local practice, Hogan Lovells Fidelity. Shanghai office managing partner Zhen (Katie) Feng is also a director of Hogan Lovells (Shanghai) Intellectual Property Agency Service Co, an IP service affiliate established by the firm. She advises a diverse range of clients on the formulation and implementation of IP enforcement strategies in China, through a combination of administrative, civil and criminal actions. Over in Beijing, Helen Xia focuses her practice on contentious and non-contentious IP work that involves trade marks, copyright, patents, unfair competition and IP licensing. Providing key support at counsel level are experienced advisers Grace Guo and Yu-An Chang. Eugene Low leads the IPMT practice in Hong Kong.

Jones Day's China IP practice is widely respected for its advice on IP transactions, China portfolio strategy and IP litigation. Clients particularly benefit from the firm's Beijing-based IP agency, which is licensed in China to handle a wide range of copyright, trade mark and other non-patent IP matters. Former co-chair of the IP subcommittee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Anthony Chen, acts on the protection of IP rights in China's patent office and courts; the mitigation of IP risks in China-related technology transactions; the management of patent and trade secret litigation overseas; and the creation of IP assets on a worldwide basis. Of counsel Guoping Da's work involves technologies, such as biotechnology, computer hardware and vehicle telematics, among others. Haifeng Huang is a key name in Hong Kong.

Mayer Brown's large, Hong Kong-based Asia IP practice handles complex IP litigation, IP due diligence and IP transactions, along with data privacy, franchising and technology-related matters. The practice is particularly active in key sectors such as TMT,  financial services, construction, manufacturing, retail, luxury, real estate and hospitality. It handles a significant number of IP disputes, including company hijacking cases and complex IP litigation and arbitration, some of which involve insolvency issues with cross-border elements. Particularly known for the resolution of IP disputes, Gabriela Kennedy heads the practice in Asia and is global co-head of the firm's IP practice; and promoted to partner in 2020, Amita Haylock advises on various IP rights, including trade marks, copyright, designs and patents.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP's core focus is on China-US cross-border patent and trade mark infringement litigation, trade secrets misappropriation and industrial espionage. In Beijing, Xiang Wang and Shelley Zhang jointly lead the practice, alongside Shanghai-based Yufeng (Ethan) Ma. Wang assists local and foreign-based multinational companies with all aspects of their IP rights in China, Hong Kong and the US; his cases involve a vast array of technologies, from software and electronics to renewable energy and medical devices. Zhang has extensive experience in patent enforcement litigation, patent invalidation proceedings, trade secret enforcement efforts, anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy matters; while Ma stands out for IP litigation before the US International Trade Commission and US federal courts.

SIPS – Simone Intellectual Property Services has longstanding experience in China IP, as well as standout knowledge of China's political and legal systems. Clients additionally benefit from the firm's wholly owned PRC IP agency, SIPS (Shanghai), while the Beijing office is authorised to file applications in relation to trade marks, copyright and customs recordal, as well as infringement complaints with China's relevant authorities. Managing partner Dan Plane, Joe Simone and Helen Tang lead the practice from Hong Kong which saw the arrival of Chris Smith who joined from Baker McKenzie , while Shanghai's Joshua Miller, who is experienced in representing several famous brands, is a recently promoted partner. In Beijing, senior consultant Courtney Macintosh, who has practised China IP law for approximately 10 years, was recruited in 2019 from Baker McKenzie FenXun.

Clifford Chance LLP acts on the full suite of IP matters, including complex IP aspects of business-critical projects, technology adoption, transactions and disputes, through to advisory and day-to-day support. PRC-related IP specialist Lei Shi has extensive experience in resolving IP-related disputes before the courts. He also acts in initiating and defending administrative investigations into IP-related matters. Counsel-level support is provided by Yi Yang, who advises multinational clients from the pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer goods and manufacturing industries. The Asia IP group is led by Ling Ho in Hong Kong, who combines IP technology arbitration and litigation specialisms with extensive expertise in complex transactions.

Morrison & Foerster LLP's IP practice spans prosecution, litigation, and licensing matters; and it fields sector specialists in pharmaceuticals, biologics, diagnostics, personalised medicine, medical devices, medicinal chemicals and vaccines. Chuan Sun, who divides his time between Shanghai and Hong Kong, advises on complex IP transactions. Gordon Milner heads the firm's Asia technology practice from Hong Kong.

Norton Rose Fulbright's Hong Kong and China IP team advises companies across Asia (and globally) on the registration of patents, trade marks and designs, IP exploitation, correct usage and enforcement. It also provides commercial IP advice in relation to M&A, public offerings, restructurings, insolvency proceedings and competition law. Hong Kong-based Justin Davidson is an experienced IP specialist.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP's mainland China practice has significant experience in the preparation and prosecution of US and foreign patent applications. It also has extensive IP transactions and licensing experience. Shanghai-based partner Harris Gao is a registered US patent attorney, with a notable track record in international IP litigation and technology transactions.

Stephenson Harwood's Hong Kong-based IP team is headed up by seasoned litigator Jezamine Fewins. Its client base covers the TMT, retail and luxury goods, hotel and leisure, life sciences, construction, and food and beverage sectors. The firm closed its Beijing office in 2020, while former partner Jonathan Chu left for CMS' Hong Kong office in late 2019.