Sean Wu advises global and Chinese companies on investigations and disputes.

Sean helps clients navigate issues related to fraud, securities fraud, professional standards, FCPA, anti-corruption / anti-bribery, sanctions, and other trade compliance matters in China. Specifically he helps clients with:

  • Internal and government investigations
  • Compliance due diligence
  • Compliance programs and training

He also advises clients on litigation in China and in global jurisdictions with cross-border elements involving foreign parties.

Sean is both US and PRC trained and fluent in both English and Mandarin. He helps clients bridge the gap between the two judicial systems and provides insight into cross-border, cross-cultural issues.

Sean draws on experience advising clients in a range of industries, including online commence, data and technology, finance, professional services, pharmaceutical, medical, biochemical, automobile, manufacturing, shipping, and consulting.

Prior to private practice, Sean interned in Chinese courts, including the PRC Supreme People’s Court.

Sean’s experience includes representing:

Investigations

  • The audit committee of a US-listed China-based online commerce company in an internal investigation into various short-selling allegations of potential revenue inflation and before the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)
  • The China offices of a global professional services company in an internal investigation into whistleblower allegations of potential violations of professional standards and representing the client before the US SEC and another US regulator
  • A US-listed worldwide Top 500 home appliance manufacturer operating in China in internal investigations into short-selling and/or whistleblowing allegations of potential revenue inflation and conflict-of-interest violations, with US securities class action as background
  • A multinational data and technology company in an internal investigation in relation to data manipulation and fraud in its China subsidiary
  • A Chinese unicorn company in an internal investigation in relation to certain related party transactions
  • A US-listed China-based consulting company in an internal investigation in connection with fraud matters*
  • A multinational technology company’s Asia Pacific and Japan subsidies, in an internal investigation in connection with several matters, including conflict of interest, financial fraud, anti-bribery, and other company procedural violations*
  • A multinational pharmaceutical company in multiple internal investigations in connection with financial fraud, safety regulation, and anti-bribery matters*
  • A US-listed medical device company in connection with regulatory inquiries from Chinese and overseas regulators*

Anti-Corruption, Anti-Bribery Investigations, and Due Diligence

  • The Audit Committee of a US-listed China-based pharmaceutical company, including representing it before the US Department of Justice (DOJ), SEC, and Nasdaq, in connection with potential FCPA violations by its founder and salespersons, and securing case closures from the SEC and the DOJ without any actions against the client or individual
  • A multinational pharmaceutical company in multiple internal investigations in connection with anti-bribery
  • A multinational data and technology company in multiple internal investigations in connection with fraud and anti-bribery
  • A multinational online retail company in multiple internal investigations in connection with fraud and anti-bribery
  • A multinational infrastructure consulting company in an internal investigation in connection with fraud and anti-bribery
  • A multinational packaging solutions company in an internal investigation in connection with fraud and anti-bribery
  • A multinational manufacturer of automobile parts in an internal investigation in connection with anti-bribery
  • A leading multinational natural health and wellness company in an internal investigation in connection with anti-bribery
  • Multinational clients on their anti-corruption / anti-bribery compliance due diligence
  • Clients on developing and implementing anti-corruption compliance policies and procedures
  • A multinational pharmaceutical company following a Chinese government investigation into allegations of the company’s violations of PRC anti-bribery laws, including advising the client on disclosures to the US DOJ and SEC*

Sanctions / Export Control

  • COSCO Shipping in connection with the imposition of two subsidiaries on the Specially Designated Nationals And Blocked Persons (SDN) list by the US Department of State and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
  • A multinational finance institute, in connection with export control / financial sanction matters
  • A multinational electronic device manufacturer on export control and sanctions issues
  • A multinational energy service provider on export control and sanctions issues
  • A multinational equipment manufacturer in connection with trade restriction matters
  • A Chinese state-owned enterprise on export control and sanctions issues

Litigation and Arbitration

  • A Taiwan-based company in the semiconductor industry in a matter related to alleged criminal charges of commercial espionage and trade secret theft raised by the DOJ
  • Sinovac Biotech, a China-based biopharmaceutical company, in connection with a campaign by certain shareholders to gain board control; developed a defense and litigation strategy
  • A multinational biopharmaceutical company in connection with intellectual property rights and contract disputes in various jurisdictions involving parties and conduct in China
  • A major Chinese state-owned company on responding to a number of statutory notices for documents and information issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)
  • A Hong Kong subsidiary of a major Chinese state-owned company in connection with an international arbitration over a contract dispute
  • A multinational energy and urban development company on global advices and strategies in connection with a criminal investigation and prosecution in China

*Matter handled prior to joining the firm

Bar Qualification

  • New York

Education

  • JD, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
  • Master of Law in Commercial Law, Renmin University of China
  • LL.B in Law, Renmin University of China

Languages Spoken

  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • English