Overview
Shaun Wu is Chair of the Litigation Department in Hong Kong and China, and the Asia Head of Investigations and White Collar Defense. He is one of Asia’s leading lawyers for international arbitration, dispute resolution, corporate investigations, government enforcement, and regulatory compliance. Mr. Wu leads a team of litigation lawyers across the firm’s Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing offices. His award-winning work and insights have been featured on The Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, CNBC, and other top-tier media.
Mr. Wu is widely respected as “a very experienced legal practitioner and has led many of the most significant engagements in the past decade” (The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2024). He is sought after by clients as “without doubt, a great master of the legal knowledge and skills required” (Chambers Global 2023). Clients attest that Mr. Wu “really is top notch” and an “excellent legal strategist” whose “approach is always practical and his advice [is] laser-focused on solving the clients’ problems” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2021). He is recognized as “one of the true multilingual litigators who is authoritative,” “very smart and communicative,” and he has “won the total trust” of clients (The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2020). Regarded by clients as a “real strategist and problem solver,” Mr. Wu is an “excellent attorney with great attention to detail” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019).
In Asia, Mr. Wu is the “‘go to’ attorney in matters involving China” and his “understanding of Chinese culture and language is only surpassed by his legal mind and logic” (The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2021). He is “uniquely positioned in the market” and lauded as “the lawyer many people think of when they think of investigations and disputes in China” (The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2019). Clients rely on Mr. Wu’s “clear and comprehensive responses” and “impressive language capabilities, citing his proficiency in English, Mandarin and Cantonese” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018). He is “praised for his handling of China-related matters and ‘does an excellent job conveying the case across cultural and linguistic barriers’” (The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2017).
Mr. Wu acts as lead counsel, advocate, and strategist in a wide range of international arbitration and international dispute resolution matters, often involving governments, state-owned enterprises, and multinational corporations in Asia. He has advised clients in international arbitration under the UNCITRAL, HKIAC, SIAC, ICC, LCIA, CIETAC, KCAB, JCAA, and other arbitral rules, seated in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, and other arbitral seats, governed by a range of applicable laws. Many of these disputes arise out of investment agreements, sale and purchase contracts, financing arrangements, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Wu has been admitted to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators (HKIArb). As lead counsel, he often coordinates cross-border proceedings across Asia, U.S., U.K., and offshore jurisdictions including the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands.
Mr. Wu represents financial institutions, asset management firms, and multinational corporations in matters involving Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, India, Singapore, and Southeast Asia. As a U.S./U.K. practicing lawyer, he focuses on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), fraud, misconduct, bribery, corruption, sanctions, trade controls, cybersecurity, data protection, securities enforcement, and other regulatory issues. Mr. Wu often acts for boards of directors, audit committees, independent committees, and special committees in allegations of fraud and financial irregularities, including revenue recognition and falsified transactions. He advises clients facing inquiries from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and local regulatory authorities in Asia. Mr. Wu is one of the only Asia-based individuals appointed as the Independent Monitor for the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to assess compliance by sanctioned companies following debarment for fraud or integrity violations.
As an advisor, Mr. Wu works with boards of directors and C-suite management on global risk assessment, strategy planning, and corporate governance, including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and sustainability issues. He advises on crisis management, risk identification and mitigation, internal controls, remediation measures, reporting frameworks, transaction testing, and compliance due diligence for investments and acquisitions. Many of Mr. Wu’s matters involve technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), life sciences and healthcare, financial services, fintech, energy and project infrastructure, asset management, private equity, and venture capital.
Mr. Wu has been ranked by Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific, and Chambers Greater China for the past seven consecutive years from 2018 to 2024. He has been named a Tier 1 Leading Individual by The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific and ranked since 2017. Mr. Wu was featured in “The A-List: Growth Drivers (International)” by China Business Law Journal as a key player at the forefront of the market. His practice was recently profiled in The Financial Times Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers Report as “Standout” for facilitating global business. In association with The American Lawyer, The Asian Lawyer, and Legal Week, China Law & Practice Awards has honored Mr. Wu with individual awards for Regulatory & Compliance and Dispute Resolution: Arbitration.
Mr. Wu is a thought leader and has been invited by governments, multilateral organizations and industry groups to speak at conferences around the world including in Washington D.C., New York, Switzerland, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Seoul. Outside of work, he has an active pro bono practice advising charities, non-profits, and social enterprises focused on serving underprivileged and disadvantaged communities to alleviate poverty and hardship. Mr. Wu sits on various global committees within the firm, and is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion.
Recognitions
- Chambers Global, Greater China & Asia-Pacific, Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption
- Chambers Global, Greater China & Asia-Pacific, Dispute Resolution: Litigation
- The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, China: Regulatory/Compliance: Foreign Firms
- The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, China: Dispute Resolution: Litigation: Foreign Firms
- China Law & Practice Awards, “Lawyer of the Year” for Regulatory & Compliance
- China Law & Practice Awards, “Rising Star of the Year” for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
- China Business Law Journal, The A-List: Growth Drivers (International)
- FT Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers Awards, “Standout” for Facilitating Global Business
- Who’s Who Legal and Global Investigations Review, Investigations: Future Leaders
- Doyle’s Guide, White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations
- Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards, Finalist for “Disputes Star of the Year”
- Asian Legal Business Hong Kong Awards, Finalist for “Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year”
- The Asia Legal Awards, Finalist for “International Trade Lawyer of the Year”
Representations
Investigations and Enforcement
- Representation of a multinational software corporation in internal investigations in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in connection with whistleblower allegations and suspected fraud
- Representation of a U.S. multinational corporation in internal investigations in China, Korea, Japan and India in connection with allegedly falsified records and unauthorized payments
- Representation of a multinational industrial technology corporation in internal investigations in China in connection with whistleblower allegations, revenue recognition and controls issues
- Representation of the audit committee of the board of directors of a U.S. public-listed Chinese corporation in an internal investigation into allegations of financial irregularities
- Representation of the independent committee of the board of directors of a U.S. public-listed Chinese corporation in an internal investigation into allegations of fraudulent practices
Compliance and Risk Assessment
- Representation of a leading private equity firm in internal review and compliance assessments of policies and procedures relating to its investments and portfolio companies across Asia
- Representation of a multinational technology corporation for compliance in Asia relating to sanctions, trade controls, supply chain, third party risks, ESG and related regulatory enforcement
- Representation of an Asian corporation in assessing compliance relating to U.S. sanctions, trade controls, and cross-border regulatory issues with potential enforcement risks
- Representation of a U.S. asset management company for compliance relating to data privacy and cybersecurity laws, and related cross-border issues across the U.S., E.U. and Asia
- As an individual, appointed as the Independent Monitor for the Asian Development Bank to an Asia-based company to assess compliance following sanction for integrity violations
International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
- Advised on matters under the UNCITRAL, HKIAC, SIAC, ICC, LCIA, CIETAC, KCAB, JCAA and other rules, in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai and other arbitral seats
- Representation of a Hong Kong-listed Chinese life sciences technology company in an HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong against a financial services asset management firm
- Representation of a Chinese private equity firm in an HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong against a U.S.-listed conglomerate arising out of its acquisition of a company in China
Engagement & Publications
ENGAGEMENT & PUBLICATIONS
- Co-author, "Best Practices For Companies Navigating US-China Investigations" (Law360, October 2023)
- Speaker, "What Multinational Companies in Asia Can Do to Manage Global Enforcement Risks and Strengthen Compliance" (10th Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption Compliance Greater Bay Area Summit, China, October 2023)
- Speaker, "Navigating High-Stakes U.S. Investigations: an Asian Company’s Perspective" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, July 2023)
- Speaker, "Mitigating Risk in Cross-Border Transactions Using International Arbitration" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, June 2023)
- Speaker, "U.S. DOJ’s Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions of Non-U.S. Companies: What You Need to Know" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, April 2023)
- Speaker, "Recent Enforcement Trends: U.S. DOJ’s Corporate Enforcement Policies Impacting China and Asia" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, October 2022)
- Co-author, "China Enhances Scrutiny for Cross-Border Data Transfer that would Impact Multinational Companies" (Lexology, July 2022)
- Co-author, "The End of the China Initiative and the Future of U.S. Enforcement against Chinese Companies" (Lexology, May 2022)
- Co-author, "Looking Back on the Supplemental Arrangement on Mainland-Hong Kong Mutual Enforcement of Arbitral Awards" (Lexology, April 2022)
- Speaker, "2022 Outlook: Sanctions and Export Control" (Paul Hastings, Protiviti & Dow Jones, Webinar, March 2022)
- Co-author, "Continued Development of Data Security and Protection in China – All You Need to Know about China’s Latest Data Implementation Rules and the New Data Guidance for the Automotive Industry" (Lexology, December 2021)
- Co-author, "China’s New Personal Information Protection Law and Other New Data Concerns" (Lexology, September 2021)
- Co-author, "Local Compliance Code: The China Pharmaceutical Industry Association (CPIA) Sets Its Compliance Management Standards" (Lexology, September 2021)
- Co-author, "Applications for Interim Measures in Mainland China: Advantages of Arbitrating in Hong Kong" (Lexology, August 2021)
- Speaker, "Getting SPACs Right: How to Build Investor Trust While Mitigating Litigation Risk" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, July 2021)
- Co-author, "What Remedies Are Available to Life Sciences Companies if Their IP Rights Are Exploited During the Global Pandemic?" (Lexology, July 2021)
- Co-author, "China Enacts Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law" (Lexology, June 2021)
- Speaker, "Preparing for a Cross-Border Government Audit or Investigation in 2021" (Practicing Law Institute Cross-Border Law Program, May 2021)
- Co-author, "A Very Useful Toolkit for Corruption Risk Assessment — SMEs Operating in South East Asia (and Beyond)" (Lexology, April 2021)
- Speaker, "What to Expect in 2021: Key Issues that Asia Companies with Shares Traded in the U.S. Need to Know About New SEC Enforcement Actions under Biden Administration" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, March/April 2021)
- Speaker, "Recent Trends and Challenges on Anti-Corruption Compliance and Responsible Business Conduct in Southeast Asia" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, March 2021)
- Speaker, "Use and Abuse of State Funding in the Covid-19 Era" (Inter-Pacific Bar Association Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law Committee, March 2021)
- Speaker, "New Administration, New Impact in a Metamorphosed World" (MIT Club of Southern California, March 2021)
- Speaker, "What to Expect in 2021: The U.S.-China National Security and Trade Relationship Under the Biden Administration" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, February 2021)
- Speaker, "U.S.–Asia Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Trends" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, January 2021)
- Co-author, "Don’t Expect U.S. Enforcement Against Chinese Companies to Ease Under Biden" (Bloomberg Law, December 2020)
- Co-author, "Recent Trends and Challenges on Anti-Corruption Compliance and Responsible Business Conduct in Southeast Asia" (Lexology, December 2020)
- Speaker, "Anti-Money Laundering Summit: A Year in Review" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, September 2020)
- Co-author, "China Enacts Regulations on Unreliable Entity List" (Lexology, September 2020)
- Speaker, "Potential Impact of Recent Executive Orders on Chinese Investments and Business in the United States" (New York City Bar Association, Webinar, September 2020)
- Co-author, "Mitigating Increased Enforcement Risks by U.S. Regulators on Chinese, Non-U.S. Companies" (Bloomberg Law, August 2020)
- Co-author, "State and Commerce Departments Take New Action on 24 Chinese Companies" (Lexology, August 2020)
- Co-author, "Commerce Simplifies but Expands the Foreign Direct Product Rule for Huawei" (Lexology, August 2020)
- Speaker, "The Challenge of Regulating U.S.-Listed Chinese Companies" (China Law & Practice, Podcast, August 2020)
- Co-author, "U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Final Rule Suspending Certain Preferential License Exceptions for Hong Kong" (Lexology, August 2020)
- Co-author, "U.S. Corporate Regulation Increases Amidst U.S–China Tensions" (Lexology, July 2020)
- Speaker, "Compliance and Enforcement Risks Between East and West in 2020" (Paul Hastings, Webinar, July 2020)
- Co-author, "CFIUS Extends its Reach to Order the Termination of Ekso Bionics’ Role in Joint Venture in China" (Lexology, June 2020)
- Co-author, "Why Anti-Bribery Enforcement Scrutiny in China is Here to Stay" (Global Investigations Review, May 2020)
- Co-author, "U.S. Department of Commerce Imposes Further Restrictions Directed at Huawei" (Lexology, May 2020)
- Co-author, "COVID-19 Client Alert Series: COVID-19 Guidance on Civil Cases in China from the Supreme People’s Court" (LexisNexis Practical Guidance, May 2020)
- Speaker, "Asia-Pacific Investigations and Monitorships — Multilateral Development Bank Administrative Sanctions" (Paul Hastings & Guidepost Solutions, Webinar, April 2020)
- Author, "Managing Multijurisdictional Investigations Involving China" (China Business Law Journal, March 2020)
- Speaker, "Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning on Anti-Corruption Compliance" (China International Anti-Corruption Compliance Summit, Shanghai, November 2019)
- Speaker, "Whistleblower Claims in Financial Services Companies: A Global Challenge" (International Bar Association Annual Conference, Seoul, September 2019)
- Speaker, "Corporate Integrity and Compliance" (World Bank–PRC National Commission of Supervision–CCDI Seminar on Business Integrity and Compliance for the Belt and Road, Beijing, July 2019)
- Speaker, "Managing Investigations for Anti-Bribery and Corruption Risks" (Asian Legal Business 15th Shanghai In-House Legal Summit, Shanghai, June 2019)
- Speaker, "China’s Belt and Road Initiative — How to Navigate New Business Opportunities" (New York City Bar Association, New York City, June 2019)
- Speaker, "Cross-Border Ethical Issues in Government Audits and Investigations" (Practicing Law Institute Cross-Border Employment Law Program, New York City, June 2019)
- Speaker, "China — What Every Multinational Should Know About the Revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law, New National Supervision and Cyber Laws" (C5 Anti-Corruption, Switzerland, April 2019)
- Speaker, "Internal Investigations in China: Managing Risks for Multinational Corporations" (Kluwer China 4th International Arbitration, Regulatory and Competition Law Summit, Shanghai, March 2019)
- Speaker, "China — Global Regulatory & Enforcement Update Seminar" (ACI 35th International Conference on the FCPA, Washington DC, November 2018)
- Co-author, "Corruption & Bribery: How MNCs Should Navigate the Risks" (Asian Legal Business: Guide to the Belt and Road Initiative, November 2018)
- Speaker, "Updates to Dispute Resolution in China" (Asialaw and Benchmark Litigation 5th Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Summit, Hong Kong, September 2018)
- Co-author, "Cleaning House: As China Takes a Firm Stand on Commercial Bribery, Here’s What MNCs Need to Know" (AmCham Shanghai Insight Magazine, July 2018)
- Speaker, "How to Respond to the Most Stringent Investigation — Case Study on Chinese Government Joint Enforcement" (ACI 11th China Forum on Anti-Corruption, Shanghai, June 2018)
- Speaker, "Understanding and Managing Internal Investigations in China" (China: Annual International Arbitration, Compliance & Competition Law Summit, Shanghai, April 2018)
- Speaker, "eDiscovery Challenges in China" (Tsinghua University School of Law, Beijing, March 2018)
- Speaker, "Conducting Investigations and Cooperation" (World Bank–SASAC–CCDI Integrity Compliance Management Workshop for Chinese Enterprises in Belt & Road Countries, Beijing, January 2018)
- Speaker, "Internal Investigation and Regulatory Issues for Multinational Corporations in China and the Asia-Pacific" (Duxes 10th China Anti-Corruption Compliance Summit, Shanghai, October 2017)
- Speaker, "Key Trends and Updates: Dispute Resolution in China" (Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Summit, Hong Kong, September 2017)
- Speaker, "International Cooperation to Fight Corruption" (World Bank–PRC MOS–CCDI Forum on Strengthening International Cooperation for a Clean Belt and Road, Beijing, September 2017)
- Speaker, "Compliance Officers Think Tank: How to Implement Effective Metrics for your Industry and Sector" (10th China Forum On Anti-Corruption, Shanghai, June 2017)
- Speaker, "How to Build a Compliance System and to Prevent Corruption in a Medium Company With Global Challenges" and "How to Empower Compliance Officers and Work Effectively with Foreign HQ" (Duxes Anti-Corruption Compliance Summit, Beijing, June 2017)
- Speaker, "Anti-corruption in China" (Asialaw Asia-Pacific In-House Counsel Summit 2017, Hong Kong, May 2017)
- Speaker, "Best practices in resolving Asian M&A disputes" (IFLR Asia M&A Forum, Hong Kong, March 2017)
- Speaker, "Managing the Arbitration Process — In-House Counsels and Experts Give Their Views" (China: Annual International Arbitration Summit, Beijing, November 2016)
- Co-author, "Clampdown on Multinationals in China Continues" (Corporate Counsel, November 2016)
- Author, "Trouble ahead for China’s joint ventures" (FinanceAsia, November 2016)
- Speaker, "Internal Investigations for MNCs in China" (InnoXcell Annual Symposium, Shanghai, October 2016)
- Speaker, "The Cost of Doing Business: Understanding and Avoiding the Hazards of Internal Investigations in Asia" (Association of Corporate Counsel, Webinar, October 2016)
- Speaker, "Key Trends and Updates in Managing Cross-Border Disputes" (Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Summit, Hong Kong, September 2016)
- Speaker, "Advising In-House Counsel in Outbound Disputes" (China: 2nd Annual International Arbitration Summit, Shanghai, July 2016)
- Co-author, "Get Ready for Disputes As US-China Deals Multiply" (Law 360, June 2016)
- Speaker, "How to Keep a Functional Relationship between Compliance and Business" (8th Anti-Corruption Compliance in China Summit, Beijing, May 2016)
- Author, "Domestic Parties Need to Prepare for Outbound Joint Venture Disputes" (China Business Law Journal, April 2016)
- Speaker "Tech M&A: Key Issues in Today’s Convergence-Driven TMT Market" (11th Annual IFLR Asia M&A Forum, Hong Kong, March 2016)
- Speaker, "China-U.S. Outbound Joint Ventures — Strategies for Dispute Resolution" (U.S.-China Legal Summit, Hong Kong, February 2016)
- Speaker, "Outbound Joint Venture and China-Related Disputes" (Korea: 4th Annual International Arbitration Summit, Seoul, November 2015)
- Speaker, "Managing the Arbitration Process — From In-House Counsel Perspective" (Korea: Annual International Arbitration Summit, Seoul, November 2015)
- Speaker, "China — Individual and Corporate Liability Risks: Status Report on Enforcement of Chinese Pricing, Competition and Anti-Corruption Laws" (32nd International Conference on the FCPA — Global Anti-Corruption Regulatory and Enforcement Update, Washington DC, November 2015)
- Speaker, "Strategies for Success: Managing Cross-Border Disputes" (Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Summit, Hong Kong, September 2015)
- Co-author, "Offshore Chinese Structures in Dispute" (International Financial Law Review, May 2015)
- Speaker, "Outbound Arbitration and Offshore Asset Recovery" (Hong Kong: Annual International Arbitration Summit, Hong Kong, April 2015)
- Speaker, "Multi-Jurisdictional Disputes" (InnoXcell Asia Symposium, Hong Kong, April 2015)
- Speaker, "Guarding Against Financial Crimes: Lessons Learned from the Qingdao Metal Scam" (The International Transaction Banking Convention, The Asian Banker Summit, Hong Kong, April 2015)
- Co-author, "China Outbound Investment Guide: Offshore" (China Law and Practice, April 2015)
- Speaker, "Outbound Arbitration and Offshore Asset Recovery" (Korea: Annual International Arbitration Summit, Seoul, November 2014)
- Speaker, "Changes and Challenges: Main Issues of Recent Arbitration Regimes in Korea and Asia-Pacific" (Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea, Seoul, November 2014)
- Speaker, "Enforcement: Ensuring that You Get the Money You’re Owed" (Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Summit, Hong Kong, September 2014)
- Speaker, "Monetizing Large Judgments and Arbitration Awards" (The Association of Corporate Counsel, Webinar, April 2014)
- Co-author, "Dispute Resolution Expert" Lexis Practical Guidance Asia Dispute Resolution (LexisNexis, 2014)
- Co-author, "Arbitration Expert" Lexis PSL UK Arbitration (LexisNexis, 2014)
- Author, "Arbitration in Hong Kong and China: Recent Developments and Considerations for Asian Parties" Korean Arbitration Review, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB), 3rd Edition, 2013
- Author, "HKIAC Rules: What the New HKIAC Rules Mean for China-Related Arbitration" China Law and Practice, Vol. 27, No. 4, July/August 2013
- Author, "CIETAC Rules 2012: CIETAC Goes Global" China Law and Practice, Vol. 26, No. 3, April 2012
- Author, "International Arbitration for Chinese-Foreign Disputes: Emerging Choices in 2012" American Bar Association International Law News, Vol. 41, No. 2, Spring 2012 (lead article)
- Author, "Enforcement of an Award Rendered Following Arb-Med Proceedings" Mealey’s International Arbitration Report, Vol. 27, No. 1, January 2012
Involvement
- International Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- New York State Bar Association, Member
- Law Society of England and Wales, Member
- American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Member
- American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Member