Sidley has had a presence in Asia Pacific for over 30 years and is one of the few U.S. law firms to have maintained on-the-ground capabilities to serve clients in the region for more than three decades. Sidley established its first office in the Asia Pacific region in Singapore in 1982, and since then, has continued to build on and enhance its capabilities for regional and global clients. In February 2013, Sidley was one of only four firms to be granted a license to practice local law in Singapore under Singapore’s Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) program.
With approximately 160 legal professionals resident in six offices—Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo—the firm represents banks and financial institutions, governments, and private and public companies, as well as multinationals and conglomerates in all sectors of commerce and industry. Such advocacy on behalf of clients has earned Sidley the reputation for being a leading law firm with recommended practices and recognized lawyers in many areas of law. The firm is also acknowledged for its sensitivity to cultural differences and extensive knowledge in the critical areas for international business.
Established in 1996, Sidley’s Beijing office is a key component of our long-established Greater China presence. As do our other offices in the China region, Hong Kong and Shanghai, the Beijing office offers a wide range of services to clients involved in most aspects of China-related business. Including the 18 professionals resident in the Beijing office, our combined China team includes more than 90 professionals who are qualified to practice Hong Kong, English and United States law and have experience in a comprehensive range of transactional and regulatory matters in China. We represent global, U.S. and European companies, financial institutions, funds and life science companies establishing business operations in China, as well as many Chinese companies establishing operations and dealing with regulatory schemes in the EU, the U.S. and elsewhere.
In Beijing, the firm has a long history of assisting government agencies, international banks and financial institutions, as well as private and public companies in all sectors of business. Our professionals are regularly consulted by international and local clients on issues that arise in connection with the establishment, management, financing and operation of their business activities in China. We have been honored to partner with several government entities to present programs on new Chinese legislation and regulations, global compliance issues and new legal developments. For example, we presented a two-day comprehensive program on China’s Global Life Sciences industry, under the auspices of the P.R.C.'s Ministry of Commerce.
Sidley’s China team has extensive experience in SEC-registered offerings as well as listings on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (Main Board and GEM Board). Our professionals are also experienced in mergers and acquisitions, litigation, securitization, structured finance, foreign direct investment, project finance, debt and asset finance (including non-performing loans), life sciences, international trade and regulatory matters.
Clients frequently consult us on their investments in China and we provide strategic information and insight on tax, corporate, commercial, employment and labor, intellectual property and real estate matters. Sidley’s clients appreciate our history of dedicated service in China and our extensive knowledge, experience and contacts in the region.
All the professionals in the Beijing office speak fluent Mandarin and English.
The Beijing office is located in Oriental Plaza, which is situated in the heart of Beijing, close to our clients, government ministries and many Fortune 500 companies.