Morrison Foerster > Beijing, China > Firm Profile

Morrison Foerster > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Private equity: foreign firms Tier 1

Well known for its involvement in headline private equity transactions, Morrison Foerster’s Greater China team stands out for its recent experience in raising SPACs, structuring de-SPAC transactions (including PIPE investments), and post-merger management matters. The group is also highly rated for its sector credentials in technology, life sciences, data centres, e-commerce and education (particularly online); and is able to leverage the firm’s robust finance and restructuring practices. With extensive experience in Silicon Valley, as well as throughout Asia, Hong Kong-based Thomas Chou, co-heads the firm’s Asia private equity group, while global private equity chair Marcia Ellis ‘provides invaluable insights on deals‘. In Shanghai, Ruomu Li acts for US, Chinese and international financial and strategic investors (and target companies) on a range of private equity and M&A transactions. The mainland China private equity associates to note are Wenlan Geng, Richard Ji and Chloe Liu.

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 1

Morrison Foerster‘s 'dedicated, responsive, technically sharp and commercial' Greater China practice has longstanding on-the-ground experience in China TMT matters. Combining its enviable TMT credentials with widely respected venture capital and private equity fund expertise, the team is regularly instructed by both technology investors and start-ups. It also houses experts in the regulatory regimes of the internet, telecoms, cloud, payments, data and cybersecurity. In Hong Kong, Asia technology practice head Gordon Milner acts for international technology companies, banks and local start-ups, and has notable expertise in online services in China; Asia private equity group co-head Thomas Chou also acts on TMT matters; and Marcia Ellis is global private equity chair. In Shanghai, 'highly skilled technology and commercial lawyer' Chuan Sun is a TMT transactions specialist; and the track record of Beijing and Shanghai managing partner Paul McKenzie includes advising telecoms, media, internet, and computer software and hardware clients.

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 2

Morrison Foerster‘s PRC offices work closely with the firm’s teams in the Asia Pacific region and the United States to advise on cross-border M&A deals, investments and joint ventures. The team has sector focuses in technology, healthcare and energy, and has recently carved out a niche in handling SPAC and de-SPAC transactions. Ruomu Li leads on this work from the firm’s Shanghai office; having started her career in the United States, she offers considerable experience across US and Chinese M&A. Chuan Sun and Beijing-based Paul McKenzie are other names to note in the team.

China > Data protection: foreign firms Tier 2

With a practice focused on evolving privacy regulations, risk management and litigation surrounding data protection, Morrison Foerster also handles data breaches, while placing an emphasis on the development of tools to assist clients in project management and cost savings. The practice is jointly led by Beijing-based Paul McKenzie, acting as managing partner of the firm’s Beijing and Shanghai offices, Shanghai-based Chuan Sun, with experience advising multinational corporations and start-ups in the technology sector on data security matters, and Hong Kong-based Gordon Milner, with expertise in data, cloud and technology transactions.

China > Fintech: foreign firms Tier 2

Morrison Foerster‘s dedicated fintech team in China is a go-to practice for corporations that prioritise the development of proprietary technology solutions. It also acts for strategic investors who regard investments in emerging technology companies as key growth drivers. Clients additionally benefit from the firm’s ability to leverage the firm’s strong venture capital and private equity funds credentials. Heading the China fintech practice from Hong Kong, Gordon Milner is a specialist in cross-border technology projects and Asia private equity group co-head, Thomas Chou, is also active in the technology/fintech space. In Shanghai, Chuan Sun works closely with multinational corporations, large SOEs and start-ups from the fintech/TMT world, while the practice of Beijing and Shanghai managing partner Paul McKenzie includes telecoms regulatory compliance, data privacy and cybersecurity. The associates to note are Hong Kong-based Zooey Chen, Gigi Yuen, Sarah Wang and Tyler Xiu.

China > Life sciences and healthcare: foreign firms Tier 2

Morrison Foerster‘s Greater China life sciences practice advises on the full range of transactions that arise during the life cycle of life sciences companies. The team consistently assists with licensing and technology transfer arrangements, licensing and monetisation schemes, strategic collaborations, dispute settlement agreements, joint ventures, and major research and development projects.  It also has a notably robust life sciences IP practice. The mainland China names to note are Chuan Sun, who works closely with life sciences clients, including healthcare private equity firm CBC Group; and private equity and M&A transactions expert Ruomu Li, who is experienced in life sciences-related transactions. Over in Hong Kong, Asia private equity practice co-head, Thomas Chou acts for emerging growth companies, along with traditional and non-traditional investors; and Asia technology practice leader Gordon Milner is an expert in cross-border technology projects in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: foreign firms Tier 3

Morrison Foerster‘s Hong Kong-based dispute resolution department stands out for its expertise representing multinational and Chinese companies before a variety of China- and Hong Kong-based forums. Leading the team is Timothy Blakely, who is regularly sought out for complex commercial litigation involving US and Hong Kong law, as well as government and internal investigation matters. Supporting the team’s efforts in terms of cross-border disputes in the Asia-Pacific region is triple-qualified partner Sarah Thomas, while Chen Zhu specialises in securities litigation and white-collar defence. Also active in white-collar criminal law is of counsel Jessica Chan, who plays a key role in the firm’s handling of high-stakes matters in this space.

China > Investment funds: foreign firms Tier 3

Morrison Foerster advises clients across the privacy equity, real estate, banking, insurance, and venture capital spaces, handling a plethora of fund formation transactions. Leadership of the Hong Kong-based team is divided between Serena Tan, who has 'deep technical knowledge' and is an expert with regard to the formation of private funds, including USD, RMB, and dual-currency, and Nicholas Sheets, regarded for his advice on co-investment activities, secondary transactions, and the structuring, formation and offering of private equity funds. Sylvia Cheng is another key contact for work related to fund formation.

China > Real estate and construction: foreign firms Tier 3

With extensive experience in private equity, Hong Kong-based Marcia Ellis leads Morrison Foerster‘s efforts in the real estate sphere, acting for clients with regard to investment cycles by handling joint ventures, acquisitions, and the development of assets in the Greater China region. The three-partner team is also active in relation to the technology sector, often advising stakeholders on data centre deals. Chuan Sun, who divides his time between Shanghai and Hong Kong is another standout, focusing on cross-border transactions in relation to the M&A and TMT spaces. Also noted in Hong Kong is Maureen Ho, bolstering the team’s private equity and real estate funds practice with regard to investment cycles, leveraged buy-outs and infrastructure investments.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms Tier 4

With experience in the pharmaceutical, biologics, diagnostics, medical devices, medicinal chemicals and vaccine sectors, Morrison Foerster‘s IP practice ranges from prosecution and litigation, to licensing work. In Hong Kong, Asia technology head Gordon Milner assists with IP matters, while Chuan Sun in Shanghai 'provides excellent technical and commercial advice'.

China > Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms Tier 4

Morrison Foerster offers an integrated contentious and non-contentious corporate investigation and anti-corruption practice, with the team advising on a wide range of investigations and regulatory compliance issues, including US economic sanctions, anti-money laundering, securities fraud, and corporate compliance matters. It also has a particular strength for privacy and data matters, as well as in US-China cross-border work. Timothy Blakely leads the group from Hong Kong and is supported by B. Chen Zhu, who specialises in cross-border government enforcement matters, internal corporate investigations, and economic sanctions.