Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP > Beijing, China > Firm Profile

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Labour and employment: foreign firms Tier 1

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP offers clients a ‘holistic‘ approach and a service which encompasses every aspect of the employment relationship. The ‘responsive and commercially minded team‘ is noted for its knowledge of the intricacies of Chinese labour law, the market climate and for its ability to respond to new developments in each – in this, highly experienced practice head Lesli Ligorner leads by example. She and her team assist with complex terminations, the implications of supply chain alterations and sanctions, compliance with data protection regulation and handbook updating. Hong Kong-based Charles Mo has an extensive track record of handling employment disputes and has particular expertise in matters involving executives in the finance and securities sectors; Mo works jointly with Ligorner on matters pertaining to China. Todd Liao and Qian Nie are further key names to note.

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 3

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s corporate group is engaged by private equity houses and sovereign wealth funds to advise on investments into Chinese businesses, as well as the PRC aspects of complex multi-jurisdictional deals. The group also has an active domestic M&A practice, which includes acting for the buy and sell-sides of take-privates. Ning Zhang is a key name to note, working between Beijing and Hong Kong, while Alex Wang is noted for his work in private equity.

China > Private equity: foreign firms Tier 3

Consistently acting for global and regional private equity firms on major private equity deals, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s Greater China practice is highly active in relation to buyout, investment, restructuring and divestment activities. With longstanding private equity transactional experience, Hong Kong-based Maurice Hoo is particularly focused on the TMT sector, while Ning Zhang, who works from both the Hong Kong and Beijing offices, advises across the private equity asset class and investment management sector. Mainland China-based corporate transactions specialist Alex Wang, is notably focused on private equity, M&A, real estate and TMT.

China > Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms Tier 3

The regulatory and compliance offering at Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP handles a broad array of anti-corruption and regulatory compliance mandates, including conducting investigations of alleged employee and third-party malfeasance after the fact. The leadership teams consists of Lesli Ligorner and Todd Liao in Shanghai, alongside Charles Mo in Hong Kong. Ligorner has extensive experience in corporate investigations, FCPA and local anti-corruption compliance, and discrimination policies, which is closely tied to her employment practice. Liao is particularly adept at advising clients on anti-corruption matters and cross-border corporate transactions, whilst Mo has significant expertise in securities and white collar crime mandates.

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 3

Housing TMT specialists from offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius’ broad practice routinely acts for major technology sector players, along with investment funds and financial institutions that are active in the TMT sector. In Hong Kong, Maurice Hoo, who is highly focused on technology companies that conduct business in Asia (particularly China), is experienced in advising private equity and venture capital investors, along with multinationals and strategic investors; and Edwin Luk's sector expertise covers technology media and telecoms companies.

United States > Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is frequently instructed by clients to assist with siting new oil, natural gas and gas-fired generation projects. The group also has extensive experience representing oil and gas clients before the US federal agencies, including FERC and PHMSA, on issues relating to rate making and tariff-design matters. Based in Washington DC, practice co-head Brad Fagg focuses on the energy industry and federal procurement sector, handling contractual and regulatory disputes as well as internal investigations. Co-chair Michelle Pector -also in Washington DC- has experience defending class actions for energy clients and is an expert litigator for issues relating to business fraud, M&A and supply-chain disputes. Los Angeles-based James Dragna heads-up the firm's environmental practice.

United Arab Emirates > Employment

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s employment practice handles both contentious and non-contentious work. The team has particular expertise in employee investigations, terminations and regulatory advice. Rebecca Kelly heads the practice and has in-depth knowledge of the healthcare sector, and Mark Gilligan in Abu Dhabi is also notable.