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 1999, Sidley’s Shanghai office works closely with our offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and the U.S. to offer a wide range of services to clients involved in China-related business. Our 14 professionals resident in the Shanghai office are part of our combined China team that includes more than 90 professionals who are qualified to practice Hong Kong, English and U.S. law and have experience in a comprehensive range of transactional matters in China.
Sidley has long recognized the importance of having a presence in Shanghai, being the largest city in the P.R.C. and widely regarded as the center of mainland China's modern economy, serving as an important city for commerce, finance and industry.
Sidley’s Shanghai office assists clients, including numerous multinational companies, in negotiating, establishing and operating foreign investment enterprises in China. Our lawyers are regularly consulted on corporate matters (such as mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity investments, capital markets, equity and debt restructuring, termination and liquidation and corporate governance), and fund formation, as well as regulatory matters related to life sciences, market access and barriers, government approval/registration and license/permit requirements, foreign exchange controls, taxation and concessions, technology transfers and licenses, IP protection, aircraft leasing and financing, land use rights and real estate, and employment and labor. All the professionals in the Shanghai office are fluent in Mandarin and English.
Sidley’s clients appreciate our history of dedicated service in China and our extensive knowledge, experience and contacts in the region.