Sarah Zhao Adds Further Strength to FaegreBD's International Transactions and Regulatory Expertise
Sarah (Xiaohua) Zhao has joined Faegre Baker Daniels as a partner in the firm’s corporate practice where she helps clients solve the challenges associated with international commercial transactions.
With more than 20 years of experience, Zhao advises Fortune 500 companies on corporate and regulatory issues related to corporate formation and maintenance, mergers and acquisitions, technology transactions, and privacy and cybersecurity.
She leverages an understanding of Chinese culture and language to adeptly negotiate and close transactions between China and other countries. Zhao also has China‑focused arbitration and litigation experience.
Her experience crosses the broad industries of information technology, energy, financial services, life sciences, agriculture, aviation, shipping, transportation, manufacturing, real estate, publishing, data protection, sports and entertainment, and more.
Chris Hofstad, who leads FaegreBD’s corporate group and its 200+ professionals said, “Sarah understands the complex business and regulatory issues many of our clients in China and with interests in China face and has knowledge and experience with the related laws and regulations, as well as the local cultures and business environments in which they are applied.”
Zhao has also done substantial regulatory work related to foreign investment in China, especially in the areas of Internet and telecom, social media, e-commerce, VOIP, data protection, privacy and cybersecurity. She has worked with private companies, trade associations and governmental officials to enhance China’s business environment for foreign companies, in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles. As a result, several Chinese rules have been amended or abolished.
“With the increased focus and importance on international trade and transactions for many of our clients, Sarah’s expertise will build on our firm’s capacity to meet the challenges they face in the global marketplace, and her ability to help in-bound Chinese clients with U.S. legal and regulatory issues fits well with our other capabilities here in Washington,” said Dave Zook, who leads the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.
Zhao earned her law degree from Valparaiso University Law School and an executive education from Harvard Business School. She also received a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Beijing Language and Culture University. She is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese.
