At A&L Goodbody, we have a particular focus on China and a dedicated China group. This is a multi-disciplinary team, with experience working in legal practice in the region and advising on many aspects of Chinese law as it relates to international transactions.

The team supports the Firm’s long-standing international strategy of providing advice and support to Chinese companies looking at business or investment opportunities in Ireland as well as Irish and international clients in relation to their Chinese business interests.

We act for a number of leading Chinese companies, including China Eastern Airlines, China Aircraft Leasing Company, Hutchison Whampoa and Treasury Holdings, the Irish parent of Shanghai-based real estate company, Treasury China Trust. As part of our dedicated Chinese Lawyers' Programme, described by Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny as "brilliant and pioneering", we have developed strong working relationships with many of the top independent business law firms, corporates and universities in China, as well as with all of the various regulatory, representative and governmental agencies involved in Sino-Irish trade.

The Programme was devised in 2010, commencing when the Firm welcomed its first set of Chinese lawyers on six month placements in September 2011. By the end of 2013 we will have had approximately 30 colleagues from China who will have participated in this programme in A&L Goodbody's Dublin office, servicing clients and gaining frontline exposure to the Firm’s international client base, global advisory partners and Irish State agencies involved in inbound and outbound investment. During their time with A&L Goodbody, the Chinese lawyers also have the opportunity to work in-house with clients or government agencies, including the likes of CRH, Elan Corporation, Pfizer, Icon, Davy, Bank of Ireland, AIB, GE, Telefonica O2, Treasury Holdings, TCT, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. Lawyers from A&L Goodbody have also similarly been working in the offices of Chinese law firms on a secondment basis.

At the launch of the programme Irish Prime Minister, Mr Enda Kenny said: "As one of the world's most open economies Ireland relies on the vision and initiative of business leaders to identify and develop new areas of cooperation with international partners. I would like to congratulate A&L Goodbody for their enterprise and their courage in developing this programme which has the potential to take the business relationship between China and Ireland to a new plane in its development of a professional network which will benefit both countries."

Our network of Chinese law firms gives us unique access to the Chinese legal market and their clients, and we have some of China's top corporate lawyers working with us in our Dublin office. As a result of our Chinese Lawyers' programme, we have a very good knowledge and respect for Chinese business culture and how best to progress transactions efficiently in China’s legal, governmental and regulatory environment. 

Please visit our Mandarin language A&L Goodbody Overview page. 

Key Contacts

Julian Yarr
Tel: +353 1 649 2383
Email: jyarr@algoodbody.com

John Given
General Counsel of Elan Corporation plc and
Chairman of A&L Goodbody's Chinese Lawyer's Programme