China Advisory

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.

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.