Our people

Zack’s practice focuses on China-related transactions, helping clients establish presence, sell products and licence rights in China through representative offices, joint ventures, wholly foreign-owned enterprises, equity or asset purchases, distributorships, franchises, technology licensing and contract manufacturing.  He also helps clients who are already in China to restructure their China investments and operations through acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations and other strategic moves.  In the course of representing the clients on these matters, Zack has counselled on employment, intellectual property, tax, import/export regulation and corporate compliance issues.  In addition, he has represented Chinese state-owned and privately run companies in negotiating and closing U.S. acquisitions and establishing operations in the U.S.

Born and raised in China and having lived in both countries for extended periods of time, Zack is familiar with the business and regulatory environments of both countries.  His education and experience in both China and the U.S. help him better understand the legal and regulatory regimes of the two countries and the needs and challenges of Western companies doing business in China and Chinese companies entering the U.S. market.  He is often able to offer clients solutions that make business sense and comply with local requirements.  Zack is a frequent speaker at investment forums, trade association meetings and legal professional seminars, focusing on various legal aspects of doing business in China.

Publications

• "Investing in China: Understanding Cross-Border Acquisition Strategies and Risks," book chapter in Inside the Minds: VC Portfolio Company M&A Strategies, Thomson/Aspatore, 2008
• "Mergers & Acquisitions: Buying into the China Market," co-author, Financier Worldwide Magazine, April 2007
• Contributor/author of numerous studies, reports and alerts on China related legislative and regulatory trends and developments that have been used, cited or published by legal professionals and legal industry publications

Speeches / Presentations

• “Doing Business in China: What HR Needs to Know,” HR Hero Audio Conference, February 26, 2008
• "China's New Property Law: Overcoming the Hurdles of Purchase and Ownership," Third National Symposium on Mergers and Acquisitions in China, American Conference Institute, New York City, December 2007
• "Opportunities and Challenges for China's Trading Partners," co-panelist with Sarah Kemp, Commercial First Secretary, American Embassy in Beijing, Ian Kay, Secretary General, European Chamber of Commerce in China, and Paul Taylor, Director, Denver Shanghai Trade Office, TAGLaw & TIAG International Conference, Beijing, May 22, 2007
• "Anti-Trust, Anti-Monopoly and Distribution Law: How Regulatory Reform Will Impact M&A," Second National Symposium on Mergers and Acquisitions in China, American Conference Institute, New York City, December 2006
• "How Mid-Sized Companies Can Develop a Strategic Plan for China," Indiana Manufacturers Association Seminar, Indianapolis, October 2006
• "Setting Up Operations in China," U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce Workshop, Chicago, April 2006
• "The Art of Doing Business in the U.S.," 9th China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT), Xiamen, China, September 2005
• "M&A Regulatory Environment in China," National Symposium on Mergers & Acquisitions in China, American Conference Institute, San Francisco, May 2005

Experience

Legal Education

Graduate Education

Professional Admissions / Qualifications

• Illinois

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court - Northern District of Illinois

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association

Interests

A student of the private enterprise system in the U.S. and having taught the U.S. enterprise system, modernization of Asia and other subjects on American college campus, Zack follows closely the economic development patterns of emerging market countries, particularly in Asia, and how the development paths of these countries differ from traditional Western theories and practices.