Mao Chen, Of-Counsel
Education
Attorney Mao Chen obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the Chinese People’s Public Security University in 1994. He later attended Brigham Young University in the United States from 1997 to 2001, earning a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. From 2009 to 2010, he pursued a Master’s in International Business Administration through a joint program between Peking University and Vlerick Business School in Belgium.
Professional Background
Attorney Mao Chen obtained his legal practice license in China in 1996 and was admitted to practice law in the U.S. in 2002. He is qualified to appear before the Supreme Court of California, the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, and all state courts in Utah. With 26 years of legal experience in China and 20 years in the U.S., he has built a distinguished career.
From 2003 to 2007, Attorney Chen served as a special counsel at the U.S. law firm Kirton & McConkie. In October 2008, he joined Zhenbang Law Firm in Beijing, an international client-focused firm, where he acted as the executive director. His clientele is primarily based in China and the U.S. From October 2011 to June 2018, he was a partner at AllBright Law Offices (Beijing). Currently, Attorney Chen practices law in Los Angeles, focusing on litigation.
Bar Admissions
Attorney Mao Chen is licensed to practice in the following jurisdictions:
- Supreme Court of California (Licensed throughout all California state courts)
- Bar Number: 218863
- U.S. District Courts in California: Eastern District (Sacramento), Central District (Los Angeles), Northern District (Bay Area), and Southern District (San Diego)
- Supreme Court of Utah
- Bar Number: 09359
- U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Chicago)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Legal Experience
Attorney Chen has extensive expertise in both Chinese and U.S. legal and business environments. Over his career, he has successfully handled over 20 cases involving projects valued at over tens of millions of dollars, with some reaching $200 million. Representative cases include:
- Representing a Utah-based pharmaceutical company to secure Chinese manufacturing supply and analyze related patent infringement issues.
- Advising a Shanghai-based company on potential U.S. patent violations and assisting in product design modifications to avoid infringement risks.
- Acting as lead counsel in establishing a $10 million manufacturing facility in Ningbo, China, for a Utah irrigation equipment manufacturer, providing legal and business consulting.
- Representing a California pharmaceutical distributor sourcing products from northern China in litigation.
- Assisting a Utah-based wireless networking product developer in distributor negotiations and contract drafting in China.
- Leading counsel in a $12 million acquisition of a Chinese company by two U.S. firms near Guangzhou.
- Head legal counsel for a major U.S. insurance company establishing a business unit in China and providing insurance services in the Beijing area.
- Providing long-term legal support to LG Philips’ Nanjing subsidiary, including labor relations, key contracts, intellectual property disputes, and government land-use agreements.
Additionally, Attorney Chen has coordinated and led legal teams for white-collar crime defense, commercial model structuring, media relations, and strategic case execution in China’s criminal justice system, achieving favorable outcomes for clients.
His practice areas include U.S.-China trade and investment, corporate finance, immigration, labor law, and intellectual property rights. Beyond legal services, he assists clients with project planning, corporate structuring, international negotiations, market expansion, and government relations. He has provided extensive legal and business services to clients from China, the U.S., and other countries.
Academic Contributions
Attorney Chen is not only an accomplished practitioner but also an avid academic contributor. He served as the founding chair of the Law Department at Nanjing Agricultural University and authored several law textbooks, including Private International Law, International Trade, International Goods Trade, as well as training materials such as Legal English for International Trade and Advocacy for Chinese Lawyers and Judges.
He has participated in global legal conferences hosted by organizations such as:
- TagLaw (a global alliance of independent law firms)
- Nutracon (a conference on natural products and health supplements)
- Morrison International (an international accounting organization)
- LexisNexis (a leading legal information provider)
- U.S. Commercial Service / Utah State Government Office
- United Natural Product Alliance
- World Trade Organization – Utah Division
At these events, he has delivered numerous speeches on topics including Chinese law, market entry strategies, direct selling regulations in China, contract negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution.
Professional Skills
Attorney Chen’s extensive experience studying, living, and working in the U.S. has made him fluent in both Mandarin and English. His deep understanding of Chinese and American cultures enables him to bridge communication gaps between clients from both countries. His strong legal knowledge, business acumen, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities ensure optimal protection of client interests.
Industry Expertise
Attorney Chen has substantial theoretical and practical expertise in legal issues related to multi-level marketing, health product imports, and cross-border e-commerce.
His background provides a unique advantage in handling multinational litigation and representing international clients.
For over a decade, Attorney Chen has actively advocated for the immigration rights of Chinese communities, participating in high-profile litigation and contributing to legislative discussions, including the U.S. Congress’ 2022 EB-5 program reform.
Areas of Practice
Attorney Chen primarily practices in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City, maintaining an extensive professional network in these regions.