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

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Labour and employment: foreign firms Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP handles a high number of mandates for clients in relation to mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and contractual drafting, as well as advising on hiring, termination, and workforce reductions. The firm is also recommended for its assistance for multinational companies in navigating Chinese data protection laws and regulations, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the PRC’s own anti-corruption laws. The team is led by the highly experienced Lesli Ligorner, an expert in collective bargaining matters and employment mobility and immigration. Also central to the practice are terminations and non-compete clauses specialist Todd Liao and associate Yuting Zhu. Hong Kong based Charles Mo supports the team. Qian Nie departed the firm in 2022.

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

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s China M&A team routinely works alongside the firm’s capital markets, regulatory, labour, litigation and antitrust groups on major transactions. The M&A practice also fields sector experts in life sciences, energy, technology, retail and fintech, as well as financial services, healthcare, automotive and transportation. Splitting his time between Beijing and Hong Kong, Ning Zhang regularly advises on mega-value M&A deals, while Alex Wang assists with a range of corporate transactions. Maurice Hoo leads the corporate, M&A and private equity practice in Hong Kong, where Edwin Luk is global co-leader of the firm’s corporate and securities group.

China > Life sciences and healthcare: foreign firms Tier 3

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP is recommended for guiding clients through research, development, and regulatory approval. The firm is also strong in financing work, as well as structuring licensing and collaboration agreements in innovative areas such as cancer treatment. Todd Liao is the key name to note in Shanghai, with a strong record in acting for biotechnology and medical device companies from both the US and the PRC. Employment practice head Lesli Ligorner, also based in Shanghai, provides key input to the life sciences practice by offering misconduct and corruption investigations capability. Hong Kong based lawyers Maurice Hoo and Ning Zhang support.

China > Private equity: foreign firms Tier 3

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP acts for some of the most sophisticated PE entities globally, including Warburg Pincus, Permira, Sequoia Capital and Hillhouse, with Ning Zhang being a trusted advisor to these clients from Beijing. The practice is experienced across the spectrum of transactions, including buyouts, add-ons and co-investments, dispositions and other exits. Maurice Hoo spearheads the offering from Hong Kong, bringing more than three decades of PE experience and is particularly strong in the TMT sector.

China > Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms Tier 3

The regulatory compliance and anti-corruption team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is sought out for its expertise in investigations, especially in cases of alleged employee or third-party malfeasance. Other work handled by the team includes creating compliance programs, reviewing internal policies and procedures, and conducting employee-related due diligence. The team is co-led in Shanghai by Lesli Ligorner and Todd Liao, as well as Charles Mo, who resides in Hong Kong. Ligorner is an expert in employment, and assists with corporate investigations and anti-corruption compliance. Investment, finance, and corporate transactions fall within the scope of Liao’s practice, while Mo is experienced in dispute resolution, investigations of listed companies, and white collar crime.

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 3

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP advises private equity funds and foreign clients on their China-centric ventures. Maurice Hoo steers the corporate and PE practice in Hong Kong, guiding multinationals through cross-border mergers, restructurings, and investments. Edwin Luk, co-leader of the firm’s capital markets and public companies practice, offers insights on securities regulation and a spectrum of corporate matters. Ning Zhang heads the corporate and PE team in the Beijing office, managing cross-border transactions for both private and public companies.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms Tier 4

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s broad expertise covers IP prosecution, litigation and Section 337 investigations before the US’ International Trade Commission. The department’s combined sectoral experience encompasses life sciences, energy, manufacturing, finance, retail, consumer goods and tech – the latter is an area of particular expertise for practice co-heads Shaobin Zhu, who offers extensive experience in disputes between Chinese and US companies; and Yalei Sun, a regular advisor to clients seeking enforcement of their Chinese patents.