Continuing China Practice Investment, Pillsbury Pursues License to Practice Locally in Hong Kong

“We established our Hong Kong office as a registered foreign law firm in 2016 to help international clients address a variety of legal needs, and demand for those services continues today,” said Firm Chair David Dekker. “Nearly one-third of our work is cross-border in nature, requiring sophisticated capabilities in major financial, technology and other business centers globally, particularly in Asia where the firm has a continuing focus on client needs in Greater China, Japan and Korea. Becoming a Hong Kong solicitors’ firm will allow us to keep doing the important work we have long undertaken for international entities with interests in Hong Kong and positions us to expand our offering to include local legal advice as well.”

Upon commencement, Pillsbury Litigation and Corporate Investigations partners Ronald L. Cheng and Adam Goldberg and Finance special counsel Amos Yoo will be able to practice local Hong Kong law, working together with Hong Kong Registered Foreign Lawyers Jia Yan and Michelle Ng—who currently resides in the firm’s Hong Kong office—to serve client needs across Greater China and on cross-border matters in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. In addition, other Pillsbury lawyers are working through the process of being admitted as Hong Kong solicitors.

“The Hong Kong office has and will continue to play a valuable role in our ability to help clients succeed in China more broadly,” said Pillsbury China practice co-leader Geoffrey Sant. “Like our global clientele, we recognize that while geopolitical issues present some challenges, there are also tremendous opportunities, and we’re actively supporting a range of complex legal needs as they arise.”

Ng added: “The Hong Kong office is currently working with clients on cross-border disputes and investigations, international transactions, complex international trade issues and other matters, and we are looking forward to delivering even greater value to those we represent once localized.”

The ability to practice law locally also presents opportunity for Pillsbury to expand its capabilities in Hong Kong. Jia Yan, a renowned China-based partner who joined Pillsbury from Paul Hastings in May 2024, operates a multidisciplinary practice that has historically included Hong Kong solicitors advising clients on initial public offerings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong as well as representations in disputes before The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC).

Among recent notable China-related matters, Pillsbury secured the largest Chinese arbitration award ever confirmed in the U.S. (which was named “Deal of the Year” by the Chinese Business Law Journal); advised Shanghai-based hydrogen-powered vehicle pioneer HUTURE Ltd., on its $1 billion SPAC merger; advised Wuhan Youji Holdings Ltd., a leading toluene derivative products provider in China, on its initial public offering on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange; and collected approximately $100 million USD in a series of litigations in the United States for a Hong Kong-based company.

Consistent with recent reports from Law.com and elsewhere, the firm is also seeing a surge in collaboration between entities in Asia and the Middle East. As one example, Pillsbury recently advised Shanghai-based biopharmaceutical company Henlius on a joint venture to integrate Henlius’ leading capabilities in biologics R&D and manufacturing with AL-TIRYAQ AL-KHALAWI Medical Company (SVAX), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Fakeeh family business group. In December, Pillsbury announced plans to open a Riyadh office in partnership with local law firm AlArfaj & Partners. The firm continues to operate in Qatar, with an office in Doha.

“The growing relationship between Asia and the Middle East presents enormous potential for global investors,” said Yan, who led the firm’s representation on the Henlius transaction. “Given Pillsbury’s established presence and reputation in Greater China, historic connection with the Middle East region, deep expertise in the Technology and Life Sciences, Energy and Infrastructure, and Financial sectors, and forthcoming office on-the-ground in Riyadh, Pillsbury is in a very strong position to support clients in both regions.”

Pillsbury has more than 50 lawyers focused on helping clients navigate complex matters relevant to Greater China. With in-country offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei, as well as offices in major financial and technology centers globally, the firm represents Chinese clients on both inbound and outbound matters and advises multinational clients on matters in China as well. Numerous recognitions from Chambers and Partners, American Lawyer Media, Greater China Business, China Business Law Journal and others mark the firm as a leader in issues including disputes and investigations, M&A, finance, venture capital, international trade, regulatory compliance and intellectual property matters.