China now commands the world’s second-largest economy. While the global downturn and Eurozone crisis have had negative repercussions worldwide, China has maintained an annual growth rate above 8 percent over the last few years, far outpacing the United States and other large Western economies. Many Chinese companies today are looking to strategically expand their international operations and capitalize on opportunities as they develop. These Chinese clients turn to Cozen O’Connor for experienced counsel as they undertake innovative corporate transactions and capital raising activities on a global stage.
Cozen O’Connor represents Chinese clients from a wide range of industries, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, manufacturing, energy, transportation, and digital media. The firm’s corporate clients are based in many of Greater China’s most active commercial centers, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Fujian, Shaanxi, Henan, Xi’an and Hong Kong. Our attorneys provide sophisticated transactional, regulatory, and litigation counsel, primarily in the areas of securities, corporate compliance, international regulations, mergers & acquisitions, cross-border investing, technology transfers, intellectual property, and commercial litigation.
We are familiar with China’s legal and regulatory regimes, although of course we do not practice Chinese law. In addition, Cozen O’Connor attorneys are also knowledgeable about Chinese language and cultural practices. The firm includes lawyers who speak Mandarin and have lived, travelled, studied, and worked in China, which greatly enhances their ability to communicate effectively with Chinese clients. While we do not practice Chinese law, we have a network of local counsel in a number of provinces throughout China and Hong Kong (as well as in Taiwan and other Asian countries) who provide regular assistance in business transactions and litigation. Our attorneys offer more than mere technical review of deals and documents; we act as true partners and advocates on behalf of our Chinese clients as they do business in the U.S. and around the world.
SERVICE AREAS
Securities. We represent Chinese companies in international offerings of public and private equity and debt, high-yield debt, and rated securities. We also advise clients on securities regulations and compliance issues. Most recently, we have represented Chinese companies in IPOs, secondary offerings, shelf take-downs, ATM offerings, private placements, reverse mergers, spinoffs, special committee investigations, class actions, independent director inquiries, going private transactions, exchange listing and delisting proceedings, SEC enforcement defense, class action defense and derivative suit defense. Our lawyers enjoy close relationships with the senior staff of key U.S. regulatory bodies and stock exchanges.
Corporate Transactions. Cozen O’Connor’s corporate attorneys handle cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, secured and unsecured loan agreements, joint ventures, infrastructure projects, and greenfields projects. In addition to our mergers & acquisitions and investment experience, our international business attorneys handle technology transfers and licensing, complex financing, contracts and distributorships, and commercial agreements for companies of various sizes.
International Regulation Our attorneys represent Chinese clients in customs, immigration, export control, economic sanction, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, dumping and countervailing duty, and other international trade matters before the trade courts, international organizations, and U.S. departments of commerce, treasury, homeland security, state, and defense.
Intellectual Property. We help Chinese companies develop and implement protection and enforcement strategies for their intellectual property, including in the areas of patent, trademark, trade name, domain name, service mark, trade dress, and copyright.
Litigation. Cozen O’Connor represents global corporations and insurers in complex commercial litigation matters. We are frequently called upon to handle special committee investigations, securities class actions, director derivative suits, and SEC enforcement matters on behalf of Chinese clients. Cozen O’Connor handles mass tort, product liability, and construction cases on behalf of clients based all over the world and has extensive experience in pursuing subrogation and recovery claims arising from losses in Asia and/or involving Asian companies.