China Advisory
For more than 20 years, Brian has worked at the intersection of China and the West, drawing on his Mandarin language skills and cultural fluency to support clients in one of the world’s most consequential markets.
Brian’s first experience in China was in the 1990s as an exchange student at Harbin Institute of Technology, one of China’s top universities.
Decades later, as General Counsel of GSK China based in Shanghai, Brian led the company’s on-the-ground crisis response during a multi-jurisdictional government investigation, a matter of first impression that shaped the compliance framework for multinationals operating in China to this day. He subsequently advised Crown Resorts on the legal strategies needed to navigate the Chinese legal system when its employees faced proceedings in China.
Brian has lived and worked in China, and he writes and speaks in Chinese for corporate audiences. Few international lawyers operate as fluently on both sides of the globe.
For multinationals operating in China, it’s usually not the novelty of the legal issue that presents a challenge; it’s determining how best to address the issue as a practical matter, balancing geopolitical, reputational, commercial, and cultural consequences at the same time, often under the watchful eyes of regulators. While the legal analysis matters, equally important is understanding how actions will be interpreted by key stakeholders, how decisions will be received on the ground, and how to accomplish the company’s objectives while respecting the local legal, business, and cultural environment.
Brian has deep experience advising multinationals and individuals on matters involving China’s principal regulators, including MPS, SAMR, NDRC, NMPA, NHSA, and CCDI. He has also represented dozens of overseas issuers in SEC and DOJ matters involving alleged securities fraud and market manipulation.
Working with Chinese Counsel
Brian has worked with Chinese law firms of all sizes, from large national firms to specialized boutiques. The right firm depends on the matter, and the most recognizable name may not always be the best fit. Industry experience, reputation among regulators, local presence, responsiveness, and cost all factor into the analysis.
“[His] language and passion for Chinese culture are unique.”
Case Studies
Additional Matters
Advised multiple employees of global companies who were subject to exit bans in China.
Successfully defended a U.S.-listed global manufacturer against trade secret and patent infringement claims filed in China and the United States, resulting in dismissal of all claims and assignment of the disputed IP rights to the client.
Represented a European automotive company in investigations by BIS and CBP relating to potential violations of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
Advising a Chinese social media company on governance, shareholder structure, and data privacy considerations to mitigate geopolitical and national security risks.
Advised a U.S.-listed electronic design automation company’s board on an internal investigation in China conducted alongside a parallel CCDI investigation of public officials.
Guided a U.S.-listed semiconductor company on multiple investigations in mainland China, Taiwan, and India.
Advising a Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer on geopolitical issues in the U.S., Europe, and Asia and advising on antitrust risks.
Performed independent due diligence on three potential licensing targets in China for a global life sciences company, leading the client to rule out two candidates that later drew adverse media attention over their ethical practices.
Advised a global medical device manufacturer on a politically sensitive reduction of its distributor network in China, managing government relations without creating corruption exposure in the process.
Chinese-Language Portal
Brian maintains a Chinese-language portal with articles and resources for Mandarin-speaking readers.
进入中文页面 · Visit the PortalFluent in Mandarin, Spoken and Written
Former General Counsel, GSK China
First Head of Asia Litigation & Investigations at a Global Firm
Admitted in New York and Hong Kong
Studied at Harbin Institute of Technology