Edward Epstein
Year of Call
2019 Barrister (Hong Kong)
2016 Solicitor (Republic of Ireland)
1993 to 2018 Solicitor (Hong Kong)
1992 Solicitor (England & Wales)
1991 Barrister & Solicitor (Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory)
1988 Barrister (Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia)
Practice Areas
Mergers & Acquisitions
Joint Ventures
Private Equity
Real Estate
Venture Capital
China Cross Border Transaction
General Corporate Affairs
Contact Information
P: +852 2950 6991
M: +852 9013 2755 / +86-1860-1616-155 (China mainland)
Background
Edward Epstein has lived in China and Hong Kong for more than 30 years, including more than 20 years in Shanghai. In that time, he was the managing partner of an AmLaw 100 firm and represented multinational corporations specializing in M&A, real estate and general corporate affairs. He has received numerous legal accolades, including being voted one of China's top 100 Lawyers in 2016 and 2017 and a BTI Client Service All-Star.
Now as a barrister at QED Chambers in Hong Kong specializing in cross-border corporate and commercial disputes in China and as an independent legal advisor, he continues to provide his expertise to multinational companies to navigate the legal bureaucracy and practices in China. In particular, he focuses on corporate strategy and risk management, including market entry, business expansion as well as downsizing large manufacturing facilities, and investigations. He can act as an "outside in-house" both routinely and in crisis management and is adept at resolving disputes both with third parties and local regulatory authorities.
Among the first western scholars to study law at the Chinese Renmin University in Beijing, Edward is fluent in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. He received a B.A. and LL.B. from the Australian National University, an LL.M. from Columbia University, and is currently licensed to practice law in Hong Kong, as a barrister, and in England & Wales, as a solicitor.
As an AmLaw 100 firm partner, he conducted the due diligence and negotiation of numerous joint ventures and establishment of wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China in a wide variety of industries, including real estate, chemicals, petrochemicals, automotive components, packaging and other types of manufacturing operations. He also assisted clients’ entry into the services, retail and trading sectors in China and is adept at designing strategies for investing and doing business in China.
With his long tenure in China and his strong academic background, Edward belongs to a very small group of foreign attorneys who understands China and Chinese law in the context of its political economy.
Details
Academic Qualifications
1990, LLM, Columbia University
1986, Postgraduate Cert. Law, Chinese Remin University
1981, LLB, Australian National University
1979, BA, Australian National University
Memberships & Accreditation
2020, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
2022, Arbitrator of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission “SHAC”
2022, Arbitrator of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration "SCIA"
2023, Arbitrator of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre “HKIAC“
Scholarships, Prizes & Honourable Mentions
China Business Law Journal
The A-List award: recognizing the top 100 private practice attorneys in China, 2016 & 2017
BTI Consulting Client Service Review
BTI Client Service All-Star, 2015
Global Law Experts
Corporate Law Expert in China, 2013-2014
Chambers Asia
Chambers Asia ranked Epstein as a leading lawyer in corporate/M&A in China and one of China’s top real estate lawyers, stating that he “has extensive experience in handling real estate matters in China, including development, investment, project financing and joint ventures – and clients commend his excellent drafting skills and strong understanding of Chinese culture and business practice.”
Chambers Global: Corporate/M&A (China), 2013-2017
Chambers Asia Pacific: Corporate/M&A (China), 2010-2016
Chambers Asia Pacific: Real Estate (China), 2009 & 2016
Chambers Asia: Corporate/M&A (China), 2010-2014
Chambers Asia: Real Estate (China), 2009
Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Edward has been highly ranked by Legal 500 Asia Pacific in corporate/mergers and acquisitions and real estate in China. Edward has received client accolades for designing strategies for investing and doing business in China, according to Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and worked on several complex projects that “required exceptional commercial acumen.”
Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Real Estate, 2009-2012
Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Banking & Finance, 2010/2011
Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Private Equity/Venture Capital, 2010/2011
Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Corporate (including M&A), 2007-2010
Asialaw
Leading Lawyers is one of the largest surveys of legal professionals across the Asia-Pacific region, featuring prominent practitioners in 18 legal fields over 24 jurisdictions in the Asia-Pacific region. Asialaw has recognized Edward as one of the leading attorneys in Asia in the areas of real estate, mergers and acquisitions, general corporate practice, and labour and employment law.
M&A, Real Estate, Labour and Employment and General Corporate Practice (China), 2008
Languages Spoken
English
Mandarin
German
Notable Cases
Expert evidence on the law of the People's Republic of China:
In the District Court of Hong Kong in R. v. Machiya and Others (May 1989)
In the High Court of Hong Kong in R. v. Cheung Tat-hing & Leung Tin-Man (March 1991), Ip (or Yip) Cheng (or Cheung) Kwok v. Yip Chi Keung & Allen Others (April 1994) and Wah Sin Electronics Industrial Co. Ltd. Fujian v. Tan Lok Trading as Wahton Company (June 1994)
In the Hong Kong Court of Appeal in Lin Jin Fei & Others v. The Director of Immigration (May 1993)
In the High Court of London in Bao Xiang International Garment Center & Others v. British Airways PLC (2015)
In the Amsterdam District Court in China International Chamber of Commerce v. British Airways PLC (2015)
Expert evidence on the law of Hong Kong SAR:
In State of New York Supreme Court in Schonfeld v. Bush (May 2006)
Publications
Doing Business in China (2018)
12-Vol. 2 Section III Chapter 11 Product Liability
Civil Law