DWT
  • Email Page
  • Create PDF
  • Print Page

Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

  • Washington, 1994
  • New York, 1996

Languages

  • Chinese (Mandarin)

Fraser Mendel

MendelFraser
Partner
vCardDownload vCard
Seattle
T206.757.8095
F206.757.7095
Shanghai
T011.8621.6170.9500
F011.8621.6170.9599
Fraser Mendel is an international corporate law attorney with over 16 years’ experience handling a range of international matters in China and Asia, particularly in technology industries. He frequently represents clients entering the Greater Chinese market in mergers & acquisitions, cross-border investment, venture capital financings, licensing deals, and corporate structuring. Fraser routinely advises U.S. businesses on legal issues in China and navigating some of China’s most heavily regulated sectors.

Fraser has worked with over 100 clients on venture capital financings and mergers & acquisitions. He has advised companies about privacy and data protection requirements, been involved in a variety of internal investigations, and has also counseled on a range of climate change and cleantech issues, including alternative energy, sustainable buildings, carbon trading, and biofuel research. An accomplished author and speaker on issues pertaining to international business transactions, Fraser was an international lawyer based in China for 12 years and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Representative Experience

Mergers & Acquisitions

Acquisition of Chinese Internet portal

Represented an Internet portal company deriving revenues from advertising in China in its acquisition as part of a sectoral roll-up. (2012)

Acquisition of solar manufacturing assets in U.S.*

Advised a Hong Kong company on its two-stage acquisition of the manufacturing plant assets and IP portfolio of bankrupt U.S. solar manufacturing company. (2010-2011)

Acquisition of Chinese nutritional products company*

Represented an international nutritional products company in the $63 million sale of its China subsidiary to a U.S. public company. (2010)

Acquisition of Chinese public relations company*

Represented a Chinese public relations company in its acquisition by a French company. (2010)

Corporate Transactions

Establishing R&D operations

Advised Chinese medical equipment manufacturer in the establishment of R&D operations in the United States. (2012)

Structuring and financing in China*

Advised U.S.-invested nutritional products and educational company on China structuring, expansion to 21 cities, and multiple rounds of financing. (1999-2010)

Corporate expansion in China for multinational company*

Advised a MNC on expansion to over 30 cities in China, establishing a regional headquarters, retail operations, warehousing, and advised on transport industry operations. (2003-2008)

Corporate restructuring of media operations in China*

Advised a New York media company on restructuring online media operations in China. (2011)

Joint venture governance and employment issues*

Advised a U.S.-based architectural firm on Chinese joint venture governance and employment issues. (2010-2012)

Financing for U.S. research consultancy*

Represented a U.S. research consultancy focused on China in multiple rounds of financing including a strategic investment from a Wall Street bank. (2009)

Licensing & IPR Transactions

Content licensing*

Represented multinational sports organization in content licensing negotiations.

Licensing and intellectual property protection*

Counseled a major computer manufacturer regarding domestic Chinese and cross-border licensing, data protection, employee privacy, and intellectual property protection in China.

Licensing for Chinese company*

Structured Chinese portion of multimillion-dollar carbon trading program involving projects in two Western China provinces.

Operations restructuring*

Restructured Asian sourcing operations for a major sporting goods manufacturer.

Acquisition of manufacturer*

Oversaw IPR structuring aspects of Chinese medical equipment manufacturer acquisition.
* Denotes experience completed at a prior firm

Additional Qualifications

  • Shareholder, Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt LP, Seattle, 2008-2011
  • Of Counsel, Morrison & Foerster LLP,Beijing, China, 2000-2008
  • Managing Attorney, Goodman, Phillips & Vineberg, Beijing, China, 1998-2000
  • Legal Consultant, Claydon Gescher Associates, Beijing, China, 1997-1998

Professional & Community Activities

  • Vice Chair, Executive Committee, 2011-present; General Counsel, 2010-2011; Board of Directors, 2009-present – Washington State China Relations Council
  • Advisory Board, Impact Capital, 2009-2011
  • Advisory Board, Chinese Language Teachers Association of Washington, 2007-present
  • Committee Member, Rules of Professional Conduct, Washington State Bar Association, 2004-2005
  • Member, Legal Committee, 2001-2004; Member, E-commerce/Retail Committee, 2000-2003 – American Chamber of Commerce, Beijing, China
  • Member, Legal Committee, Canada China Business Council, Beijing, China, 1998-2000

Education

  • LL.M., Taxation, New York University School of Law, 1996
  • J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 1994
    • Managing Editor, Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal
    • Director, Law, Science & Technology Society
  • M.A., Chinese Studies, University of Washington School of International Studies, 1994
  • B.A., Asian Studies, Pomona College, 1988

Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

  • Washington, 1994
  • New York, 1996