Bertrand Theaud, Partner

Bertrand Théaud, the managing partner of the firm’s Shanghai office, has over 10 years of legal experience advising a diverse range of clients on investing and operating in China. He understands the needs and challenges of foreign businesses going to China to maintain their competitive edge in an ever-changing environment and possesses strong business sense due to his experience as former business owner and partner in a private equity fund.

His core practice covers mergers and acquisitions, private equity, foreign direct investment, restructuring and general corporate matters across a variety of industries including distribution and retail, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, advertising and manufacturing.

Bertrand also advises in all aspects of employment matters. He has a particular focus on staffing issues arising from acquisitions and other restructurings, employment contracts, handbooks and policies, international secondments, hiring and firing advice, stock options and incentive schemes, restrictive covenants, data protection and employee fraud.

In addition, Bertrand has large experience in China-related disputes, especially with respect to commercial contracts, employment and foreign direct investments.

Some of his most significant experiences include:

• Representing a manufacturer and distributor of supermarket shelves in France on the acquisition of a manufacturer and distributor of supermarket shelves in PRC.
• Assisting a U.S. luxury retailer on the reorganization of its distribution network in PRC, HK, and Taiwan.
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  Representing a British company in establishing a foreign invested company limited by shares engaged in the television and radio audience ratings business.
• Advising the world’s largest cosmetics maker on its acquisition of two top Chinese makeup and skincare brands.
• Representing a European hypermarket company for the establishment and operation of more than 62 hypermarkets in China and for the subsequent restructure. Advising the same company on equity and assets acquisitions throughout China.
• Advising an European company leader in carbon materials on two large acquisitions in Shanghai and Zhejiang.
• Representing a major international construction materials company on various investment projects in China.
• Advising various European and other companies on the establishment of holding companies in China.
• Advising various European companies on the setting up of their distribution network in China.

Education

Bertrand Théaud received  a Post Graduate Law Degree in Conflict of Laws and International Business Trade, cum laude, from University of Paris I Sorbonne—France in 1994 and a Post Graduate Degree in Business Administration, cum laude, from IAE University of Paris I Sorbonne—France in 1998.

As a member of the Paris Bar, Bertrand is admitted as a qualified foreign lawyer in the People's Republic of China.

Speeches and Publications