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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

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Audrey Zhi

Associate

Shanghai +86 21 6036 2609

English
  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Audrey Zhi advises companies on anti-corruption compliance, investigations, and regulatory compliance, with a particular focus on life science companies. She has experience in conducting highly sensitive investigations related to anti-corruption/FCPA, fraud, conflict of interest, anti-counterfeiting and brand protection, as well as in compliance program assessments, risk assessments, FCPA and compliance and regulatory due diligence in transactions, company compliance and employment litigations. Her work spans industries including life sciences, consumer products, semiconductors, technology, beverage, energy, automotive, sports, e-commerce, and conglomerates.

    Audrey also has experience advising multinational companies on corporate and regulatory matters and transactions, including contract drafting and review, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, foreign direct investments, outbound investments, and employment. Her work focuses on the life science industry, including pharmaceuticals, medical device, in vitro diagnostics, companion diagnostics, cosmetics, and food.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Conducted numerous internal investigations on behalf of leading U.S. and European multinational companies across industries, in particular life science, consumer products, semiconductors and technology, into issues concerning anti-bribery, anti-corruption, FCPA, anti-counterfeiting, collusion, conflict of interest, fraud, moonlighting, trade secret infringement, and other misconduct occurred in and outside of China.
    • Conducted internal investigations on behalf of world’s leading medical device and medical technology companies into allegations of counterfeiting products, collusions, and falsified documents.
    • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of world-renowned multinational companies into allegations of bribes third-party suppliers and business partners made to customs officials in and outside of China.
    • Conducted multiple investigations on behalf of a leading global consumer goods company into allegations of misconduct by current and former employees (including senior management personnel).
    • Conducted compliance assessment on behalf of world-leading international conglomerates in life science and technology industries.
    • Advised renowned multinational companies in life science, energy, sports industries on anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and anti-competition issues.
    • Advised organizations (including a quasi-government organization) on anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-competition issues, reviewed and negotiated agreements with business partners.
    • Assisted a publicly-listed U.S. multinational company with employment litigation in China stemming from an internal investigation.
    • Assisted a leading global technology company in conducting highly confidential due diligence in East Asia as the China team leader and led multi-jurisdictional due diligence in four countries and jurisdictions.
    • Assisted a well-known U.S. health food and cosmetics manufacturer and distributor with China enforcement actions on substandard products.
    • Assisted a publicly-listed U.S. medical appliances and equipment company with China government officials’ requests for disclosing product confidential information.

    • Advised a world-leading gene sequencing company on the latest Chinese regulations and policies in a variety of fields, including precision medicine initiatives, non-intrusive prenatal testing, new-born screening, and laboratory development testing.
    • Assisted multinational pharmaceutical, healthcare, food and cosmetics companies on Chinese regulatory and compliance matters, such as preparing a white paper on microbiome products, monthly and quarterly reports, conducting due diligence, providing advice on genetic testing to detect cancers, companion diagnostics, cross-border e-commerce, used medical device, food contact materials, importation of raw meat product, donations to educational institutions, and preparing electronic alerts.
    • Assisted multinational pharmaceutical companies and the U.S. industrial association on strategic advice to initiate a new drug in China market, and providing implications for the American pharmaceutical drug industry due to China industry policy.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • University of Pennsylvania Law School, LL.M.
    • Fudan University Law School, J.M.
    • Shanghai University School of International Business and Management, B.A.
    Bar Admissions
    • New York
    • PRC Bar Qualification
    Languages
    • Mandarin
    • English
    Pro Bono
    • Provided China legal services to an international children's medical charity devoting itself to providing free surgeries for children and young adults suffering cleft lips, or other facial deformities, in more than 60 countries. Services included conducting legal research on the PRC laws and regulations regarding the operation of, and the compliance requirements applicable to, a foreign non-profit organization.
    • In support of the application by an LGBT man for asylum in the United States, conducted research and prepared a memorandum on country conditions in the client’s home country, including, but not limited to, the legal, social cultural, and political environment.
    • Pennsylvania Law School, which is in partnership with the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, a 501(c)(3) legal service organization, under the supervision of U.S. attorneys, provided pro bono services to the local Philadelphia communities on health law.
    • A key member of Pro Bono Project, in the Shanghai office of a previous international law firm, providing legal advice on investments in China to, and the establishment of a micro-financing company in Inner Mongolia by, international nonprofit institutions (e.g., the World Bank).
    Accolades
    • Awarded the 2022 Covington Pro Bono Ambassador for public interest services

    Memberships and Affiliations
    • American Bar Association
    • New York State Bar Association

    Areas of Expertise

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