Paul D. McKenzie
Paul has more than 30 years’ experience advising leading international companies on complex transactional and other business law matters in China and elsewhere in Asia.
He advises Fortune 100 and other global companies pursuing M&A, joint venture, and other corporate transactions, bringing to his work a deep understanding of the regulatory environment in China and a sensitivity to cultural issues in Asia. Paul also helps clients navigate China’s complex and changing regulatory environment, advising on a broad range of issues such as data privacy and security, industry permitting, and anti-corruption compliance. Paul is a member of the firm’s market-leading global privacy and data security group and a recognized expert on China’s emerging data regulatory regime. He works across a broad range of industries, including information technology, real estate, chemicals and energy, and natural resources.
Paul is a fluent Mandarin speaker and has written widely on issues related to Chinese law.
He serves on the board of directors of The Morrison & Foerster Foundation, the firm’s charitable foundation.
Experience
A Fortune 100 household and consumer products company’s JV in China
Represented a Fortune 100 household and consumer products company on establishment of a joint venture for the launch of a connected personal care device.
Eldorado Gold Corporation’s US$900 million sell of China operations
Represented Eldorado Gold Corporation in arriving at agreements to sell their Chinese operations for an aggregate of US$900 million.
VMware’s JV with Sugon
Represented VMware in its strategic joint venture with Shanghai-listed Sugon for the development of localized cloud computing solutions.
Planar Systems, Inc.’s US$156.8 million merger with Leyard
Represented Planar Systems, Inc. in its definitive merger agreement with China-headquartered Leyard Optoelectronic on PRC regulatory and business issues, pursuant to which a U.S. affiliate of Leyard acquired all of the common stock of Planar at the value of approximately US$156.8 million. Planar Systems, Inc. is a global leader in display and digital signage technology.
Hitachi and Hitachi Appliances’ JV with Johnson Controls
Represented Hitachi and Hitachi Appliances in their formation of a global air conditioning joint venture with Johnson Controls, integrating the companies’ HVAC businesses. This deal is named as one of the ASIAN-MENA COUNSEL Deals of the Year 2015.
Toshiba Tec’s US$850 million acquisition of IBM’s business
Represented Toshiba Tec in its US$850 million acquisition of IBM’s point-of-sale solutions business.
A US-based healthcare company’s JV in China
Represented a US-based healthcare company on the structuring and negotiation of a joint venture in China for the development of health care management software for the Chinese market.
A global investment bank’s divestiture of a hotel in China
Represented the principal investment arm of a global investment bank, together with an investment fund managed by the bank, on their divestiture of a hotel in western China.
Rankings
Data Protection: Foreign Firms Lawyer of the Year
Legal 500 China Awards 2024
One of China’s Top 15 Cybersecurity & Data Protection Lawyers
Asian Legal Business 2024
Leading Individual: China Corporate and M&A: Foreign Firms
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024-2025
Band 1: China TMT: Data Protection & Privacy (International Firms)
Chambers Greater China Region 2024-2025
Leading Individual: China: Data Protection: Foreign Firms
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023-2025
Recommended for China Corporate and M&A: Foreign Firms
Recommended for China FinTech: Foreign Firms
Recommended for China Private Equity: Foreign Firms
Recommended for China TMT: Foreign Firms
Recommended for Hong Kong Corporate (Including M&A)
Recommended: Hong Kong: TMT
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023-2024
Ranked as a leading lawyer in China for Projects and Energy