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Eric Carlson

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5253

English
  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Eric Carlson has nearly two decades of experience advising clients operating in China and other jurisdictions in Asia on compliance and investigations matters, particularly in the areas of export controls/sanctions and fraud/corruption/FCPA.

    Having lived in China for more than a decade, he has deep experience leading highly sensitive investigations in China and other jurisdictions in Asia, including investigations presenting complex legal, political, and reputational risks. He speaks Mandarin and Cantonese and has led more than four hundred witness interviews in Chinese in 24 provinces in China, and conducted dozens of trainings in Chinese. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner.

    Eric also counsels clients on the compliance risks of proposed transactions, conducts compliance due diligence as part of mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures, assists companies in updating and strengthening their internal compliance programs and tailoring them to the unique features of Asian markets, and developing and presenting tailored compliance training in Chinese and English. Eric has advised scores of companies and organizations representing nearly every major industry.

    Eric is a regular speaker on China-related compliance issues. He has been quoted in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Financial Times, Global Investigations Review, Compliance Week, FCPA Report, The Corporate Treasurer, Commercial Dispute Resolution, China Business Law Journal, and Economy and Nation Weekly and was a contributing editor to the FCPA Blog. Chambers notes that Eric has “much more than just a conversational grasp of the language, but the ability to conduct interviews on specific subject matter details and get to the root of the issues." Chambers further notes that "his language skills are very impressive" and that he provides "great advice that is grounded in reality," adding: "They know the industry and their advice is very risk-based and balanced." One client noted to Chambers: "They have strong regional coverage both in terms of footprint as well as language skills. If I have a compliance investigation in region with a tight timeframe, I know they can get it done. They take a more realistic approach to scoping investigations." Other clients noted to Chambers that Eric is "really brilliant" and "an expert in this field." According to one client surveyed by Chambers, "he is particularly adept at 'right sizing' the scope of an investigation to get at the key issues without incurring unnecessary operational or financial burden. He is also incredibly responsive to client communications."

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Led investigation on behalf of a multinational technology in response to criminal and civil subpoenas from U.S. government agencies related to allegations of violations of U.S. trade controls.
    • Led internal investigation on behalf of a global company after its employee was interviewed by prosecutors in northern China.
    • Served as independent compliance monitor of an Asia-based multinational company related to its settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 
    • Led internal investigation on behalf of multinational electronics company related to allegations of violations of U.S. trade controls.
    • Led internal investigation on behalf of a consumer products company after media reports alleged product safety problems.
    • Assisted multiple multinational companies in understanding risks of Chinese countermeasures.
    • Led internal investigation on behalf of a global technology company into allegations of improper payments to officials at state-owned entities, accepting kickbacks from vendors, and embezzlement.
    • Led investigation on behalf of a global financial institution into allegations of connected hiring in China.
    • Advised dozens of multinational companies about potential applicability of U.S. trade controls to operations in China, including interactions with restricted parties and their affiliates, conducting diligence on potential military end use/end users, considering U.S. foreign direct product rules, and tailoring global trade control clauses in agreements for the Chinese context.
    • Led internal investigation into allegations of improper payments by a distributor in Indonesia.
    • Led internal investigation into allegations of improper payments made to customs officials in Vietnam.  
    • Led internal investigation on behalf of a U.S. pharmaceutical company into allegations that academic meetings in China were faked to pay kickbacks to healthcare providers.
    • Provide ongoing counseling related to China-related compliance risks to more than 80 companies.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, J.D., 2005
        • BYU Law Review, Executive Editor 
        • magna cum laude
        • Order of the Coif
    • Brigham Young University, B.A., 2001
        • summa cum laude
        • University Honors
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • California
    Languages
    • Cantonese
    • Mandarin
    Pro Bono
    • Assisting five Afghan citizens fleeing the Taliban with pursuing asylum in the United States.
    • Assisting a U.S. businessman detained by Chinese enforcement authorities for customs-related issues.
    • Assisting The Nature Conservancy with various regulatory compliance issues.
    • Representing a humanitarian organization with various registration and regulatory issues.
    Accolades
    • Chambers Global, China, Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (International Firms) and International Trade
    • Chambers Asia-Pacific, China, Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (International Firms)
    • Chambers Asia-Pacific, China - International Trade
    • China Business Law Journal, "The A-List" (2021-2024)
    • Who’s Who Legal, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR: Trade & Customs (2023)
    • Who’s Who Legal, China and Hong Kong: Business Crime Defence & Investigations
    • China Business Law Awards, Anti-bribery and Anti-corruption Firm of the Year - International Firms (2020)
    • Global Investigations Review and Who’s Who Legal: Investigations recognized Mr. Carlson in 2018 among the "leading lawyers worldwide in the field of investigations."
    • China Law & Practice, "Regulatory & Compliance Lawyer of the Year" (2016)
    • China Law & Practice, “Regulatory & Compliance Firm of the Year” (2016)
    • Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – GIR 2019-2020 (Investigations) 
    • The International Who's Who of Investigations Lawyers & Forensic Experts
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • Certified Fraud Examiner

    Areas of Expertise

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