K&L Gates > Beijing, China > Firm Profile

K&L Gates > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms Tier 3

K&L Gates‘ Greater China IP practice is sought out by innovative organisations in relation to patent prosecution, portfolio development and advisory work, along with patent infringement issues. In January 2021, the practice enhanced its China and global capabilities by launching a Chinese trade mark agency, which files and prosecute trade mark applications directly with the Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration. Working across the Hong Kong and Beijing offices, Jay Chiu is an experienced, US-qualified IP litigator; and  Edward Yao is a key IP counsel in Beijing. In Hong Kong, Winnie Chan focuses on trade marks, copyright, designs, patents and domain names.

China > Investment funds: foreign firms Tier 3

Highly experienced in the formation and management of investment funds, K&L Gates‘ Hong Kong-based Greater China team is particularly active in private equity and venture capital fund formation, regulatory advice surrounding initial coin offerings, blockchain-enabled platforms, crowd funding, and hedge fund formation and restructuring. Asia managing partner David Tang heads the team, which includes Shanghai partner Chloe Duan, who focuses on investment management, and private equity and venture capital work. The practice recently welcomed Scott Peterman, who advises on the formation of alternative investment vehicles, and private investment fund specialist Sook Young Yeu from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.

China > Tax: foreign firms Tier 3

In April 2021, K&L Gates recruited Shanghai-based partner Roberta Chang as China tax practice head from Hogan Lovells International LLP, where she was China tax leader and from where associate Anita Zhou also joined. Chang consistently handles tax advisory work, including advising multinational companies on cross-border tax aspects related to acquisitions and joint ventures, corporate restructurings, financings, and disputes; she also assists with direct and indirect tax, transfer pricing, and compliance, as well as the tax considerations surrounding administrative law controversies and appeals. Providing further partner-level support from Sydney, Betsy-Ann Howe is a co-practice group ordinator for the firm’s global tax group.

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 4

K&L Gates enjoys a strong regional presence, benefitting from offices not only in Shanghai and Beijing but also Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul and Tokyo, among other locations. Simon Poh handles inbound and outbound investments, with notable expertise in the fintech space; he operates from Shanghai alongside Max Gu whose expertise encompasses private equity investments, general corporate matters and corporate compliance along with regulatory matters in the food sector. Frank Voon spends time in Beijing, in addition to Hong Kong, providing both offices with the divestiture, joint venture and restructuring expertise.

Malaysia > Foreign firms

Advising on the international aspects of deals with Malaysian companies, K&L Gates regularly represents clients in aerospace, energy, healthcare, transportation and utilities. The team is led by managing partner David Tang and draws upon a network of talent from across Asia. Lian Yok Tan specialises in energy, infrastructure and resource mandates, and James Bradley advises on aviation matters, particularly corporate jets. Christopher Tan, head of the Singapore employment practice, and Sacha Cheong, a disputes and employment partner in Hong Kong, assist clients facing employment-related issues in Malaysia. Lai-Foong Chan and Ahmad Khalis regularly assist clients with banking and finance related matters. Dispute resolution is headed by Sreenivasan Narayanan who, with the support of Muralli Rajaram, advises on high-value litigation including areas of fraud and regulatory breaches.

Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A)

K&L Gates enjoys a strong regional presence, benefitting from offices not only in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing but also in Sydney, Seoul and Tokyo, among other locations. The group has expertise in the automotive, financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and TMT sectors, and represents wide-ranging clients including start-ups, mid-market players, state-owned enterprises and large cap public and private companies. David Tang serves as managing partner and his team is equipped for M&A work from both and inbound and outbound perspective. The group was recently bolstered by the hire of William Ho from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP who arrives with a track record in supporting private equity funds on their Asia-based investments.