To view our Asia Practice capabilities in Chinese, please click the link at the bottom of this page.

Blank Rome provides experienced legal representation for Asia-based clients doing business in the United States, and for domestic clients doing business in Asian countries.

Attorneys in our Asia Practice Group are fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and Shanghainese and have extensive knowledge of the cultural and legal systems that affect business and investment in Asia, with a special focus in the Chinese market. We understand the unique needs of Asia-based clients.

We have extensive experience in advising Asia-based businesses in capital formation transactions and listings on the United States exchanges. We also represent Asia-based clients in resolving disputes with U.S.-based business partners, including in U.S. federal and state courts. We routinely assist our Asia-based clients in the following U.S. legal matters:

• Alternative public offerings, including Form 10 shell mergers
• American depositary receipts (ADRs)
• Corporate Governance
• Emerging Companies
• Energy and Alternative Energy
• Follow-on and secondary offerings
• Initial public offerings
• Intellectual Property and IP Litigation
• International Trade
• Litigation
• Maritime
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Representation of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and scientists in U.S. immigration matters
• Structured financings, including PIPE transactions and 144A offerings
• Tax
• Temporary and permanent employment of Asian professionals in the United States, including intra-company transfers
• Venture capital financing

Our Asia-based clients encompass broad industry sectors, including agriculture, alternative fuel technology, automobile, biotechnology, direct marketing, entertainment, food and beverage, health care, high-technology and Internet service, media and new media, oil and gas, natural resources and mining, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, precious metal, telecommunication, traditional manufacturing, wholesale and retail, computer, real estate, and consumer products.

We also counsel U.S.-based clients on the legal issues involved with entering and developing new markets for their goods and services in Asia. Blank Rome’s strong, cooperative relationships with knowledgeable Chinese and other local law firms provide a platform for efficient and comprehensive service. Through our representation of U.S.-based public and private companies, manufacturers, service providers, issuers, merchants, and investment banking firms, we regularly provide advice in matters such as:

• Asia-based subsidiaries
• Authorized representative (for oversees companies registered in Hong Kong)
• Business registration
• Company searches
• Company secretary
• Compliance review of statutory books
• Custody and maintenance of statutory books
• Deregistration
• Direct investment and acquisitions
• Distribution and sales agreements
• Formation of “special purpose” companies
• International trade issues
• Liaison with auditors
• Management services agreements
• Manufacturing, supply and processing agreements
• Multinational joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions
• Nominee shareholders
• Outsourcing
• Overseas company registration and correspondence address in Hong Kong
• Partnership agreements
• Patents, trademark, and other intellectual property
• Preparation of Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Private company mergers, acquisitions and disposals
• Process agent
• Project financing
• Ready made (or “off-the-shelf”) companies (both Hong Kong and foreign)
• Registered office (for companies incorporated in Hong Kong)
• Regulatory and compliance
• Representation of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and scientists in U.S. immigration matters
• Structured financings, including PIPE transactions, Form 10 shell mergers, and 144A offerings, including follow-on and secondary offerings
• Technology and licensing
• Temporary and permanent employment of Asian professionals in the United States, including intra-company transfers
• Terms and conditions of business
• Venture capital financing

Our client base is diverse and includes multinationals, financial institutions, investment banks and entrepreneurial enterprises involved across a wide range of industry sectors.

Recent Engagements Handled by Lawyers of the Firm:

• Represented a PRC-based specialty pharmaceutical company in connection with reverse merger and concurrent PIPE financing.
• Represented a leading Chinese manufacturer of stock-size timber blinds in connection with a reverse merger and concurrent PIPE financing.
• Represented a PRC developer, manufacturer and distributor of nutraceutical, natural medicine and bio-pharmaceutical products in connection with a private placement and initial public offering.
• Represented a China-based developer in connection with an IPO that raised $115 million utilizing a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
• Represented a NYSE Arca-listed leading Chinese producer of milk powder in connection with a PIPE financing, private placement of $80 million of high-yield notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A.
• Represented a leading supplier of liquified natural gas in China in connection with a private placement, reverse merger and concurrent PIPE financing.
• Represented lead institutional investor in connection with PIPE financing for PRC company.
• Represent PRC-based oil and gas service company and lateral hydraulic drilling operator in connection with reverser merger, PIPE financing and follow-on public offering.
• Represent PRC manufacturer of heavy equipment in connection with reverse merger and PIPE financing.
• Represent PRC manufacturer of wires and cables in connection with reverse merger and PIPE financing.
• Represent PRC manufacturer of organic and environmentally friendly "green" agricultural enhancement products in connection with a PIPE financing.
• Represent NASDAQ-listed PRC developer, manufacturer and distributor of exterior TCM products in connection with a PIPE financing.
• Represented 2nd largest producer of modified plastics in China in connection with a reverse merger transaction.
• Represent producer and distributor of infant and children formula milk powder in China in connection with reverse merger transaction and concurrent PIPE financing.
• Represent leading goat milk producer in China in connection with reverse merger and concurrent PIPE financing.
• Represent China's largest producer of bio-degradable molded pulp packaging in connection with a private placement, reverse merger and concurrent PIPE financing.
• Represent leading Chinese cardiovascular hospital in connection with a U.S. listing and proposed acquisitions of several PRC-based hospitals.
• Represent leading PRC hospital management company creating multi-provincial chain of general and acute hospitals in connection with its initial public offering of American depositary shares and concurrent listing on the NYSE.
• Represent numerous U.S.-listed PRC-based companies as general outside U.S. securities counsel.
• Advised and assisted a U.K. listed company on the incorporation of companies in Hong Kong and the PRC as well as the preparation of loan agreements for the purchase of real estate property in the PRC.
• Helped create a new state of the art super ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao.
• We assisted in the negotiation the financing and purchase of 10 High Speed Passenger Ferries.
• Prepared an initial public offering for New Asia which is a SPAC (special purpose acquisition company), formed to enter into a business combination with an operating business with its principal operations located in China.
• Represented client in its sale of assets in China and we advised on the transfer of such assets (leases, tangible and intangible property) as well as labor and other contractual issues.
• Filed for client energy efficiency technologies Trademark and Patent applications.
• As an integral part of a sale of substantially all of the assets, we assisted in the transition of the client’s China office to the buyer.
• We advised and assisted a client in preparing and negotiating non-disclosure undertakings and a manufacturing agreement to be entered into with various manufacturers in China. In connection with this arrangement, we undertook due diligence of the manufacturer in China. We also assisted the client in filing the utility and design patent applications in respect of certain inventions and filing of trademark applications in the PRC.
• We advised and assisted a client in establishing a joint venture with its principal supplier in Hong Kong with a view to the joint venture acquiring the entire equity interest of the supplier business in China.
• We provided advice in establishing a joint venture in Hong Kong with another manufacturer in Hong Kong with a view to holding 100% of the equity interest in a wholly foreign owned enterprise in China to act as the sole manufacturer for the joint venture in Hong Kong. We assisted in the establishment by the joint venture of a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China and subsequent acquisition by the wholly foreign owned enterprise of the business and assets of its joint venture partner.
• We have advised a Chinese ocean liner shipping company on compliance with U.S. shipping laws and representing it before the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. This has included commercial work, including assisting with two joint ventures to establish marine terminal operations in the United States.
• Advised a United Arab Emirates property developer in relation to a construction contract for a hotel in Beijing
• Represented Chinese parties in an international arbitration in Hong Kong, arising from disputes with U.S. investors, relating to an agricultural investment project in China.
• Provided advice with regard to inbound China related visa work for major U.S. based corporations.
• Numerous trademark matters in PRC for U.S. clients.
• Represented Asian related SPAC and the investors in connection with an equity financing.
• Provided legal advice with regard to PRC importation, tax, and regulatory requirements related to a company offloading potable water to the mainland from a desalination vessel.
• Assisted in matters related to the Federal Maritime Commission for a Chinese shipping company in which the PRC has an ownership interest.
• Prepare and file Foreign Agent Registration Act filings.
• Provided legal advice with respect to maritime attachment actions for PRC clients.
• Provided legal advice with respect to patent non-infringement and invalidity opinions for a Chinese pharmaceutical company.
• Defended a breach of maritime contract case filed in federal court in New York for a PRC client.
• Represent a Chinese chemical company shipping to the United States in an antidumping duty proceeding in the United States.
• Provided legal advice with respect to acquisition of a composite property development in Wunan, China.
• Provided legal advice with respect to a bridge loan and a permanent loan and the security is a shopping mall in Shenzhen, China

• Blank Rome's Asia Practice Capabilities in Chinese