Quan (Cindy) Xianzhi, Master of Computer Science from Tsinghua University, Master of Laws from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and Doctor of Economic Law (on-the-job) at China University of Political Science and Law, has engaged in many community services, e.g. a former IP expert of the Supreme People's Court, Chairman of Asian region of INTA LRC Committee and AIPLA Global Networking Event, a part-time mentor of China University of Political Science and Law, and director of the Intellectual Property Committee of Beijing Chaoyang Lawyers Association. Quan was awarded the title of "Best IP Barrister of the Year" at the China Intellectual Property Forum. Proficient in Chinese, English and Japanese, she has also been recognized as one of the first batch of foreign-related lawyers by the Ministry of Justice.

This inaugural ranking highlights the achievements of the top capital markets lawyers across Asia, who have demonstrated an outstanding track record of work, while earning accolades from their colleagues, superiors, and clients.

Performing an early case assessment (ECA) to help make better litigation strategy decisions is not a new or novel concept. However, with the rise in technology, this process has evolved and become increasingly more valuable to litigation teams. Attention to case insights comes after a team identifies, preserves, and collects electronically stored information (ESI) about potential matters. This includes litigation, internal investigations, and regulatory events. Oftentimes, clients want answers early about vital case components like whether there is merit, which individuals or entities could be potential witnesses or hold relevant information, when parties were aware of the key issues, and more. The answers to these questions pave the path for how things move forward. Organizations can rely on experts in discovery, data, and analytics to utilize their skills and deploy advanced technology to rapidly analyze data for these types of vital case insights. This allows teams to provide answers to client questions, make informed decisions at a critical point in the matter about how to proceed, and tailor strategies accordingly.

This annual ranking spotlights the top 15 IP lawyers across Asia, who have consistently delivered high-quality IP work and set high standards in the IP space, while earning accolades from their colleagues, superiors, and clients.

This annual ranking spotlights the top 15 IP lawyers across Asia, who have consistently delivered high-quality IP work and set high standards in the IP space, while earning accolades from their colleagues, superiors, and clients.

​​​​​​​Many high-net-worth individuals have used companies incorporated in offshore financial centres, such as the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) to hold their assets and business. When they plan their estate or distribute the estate of their deceased family members, they often adopt a family-oriented approach: the passing of the family assets and business to the next generation.

The world is powered by data and technology. With all the focus and new legislation on data privacy, organizations need to keep governance at the forefront when reconciling the use of emerging technologies with compliance and privacy considerations. One area where this becomes particularly important is when organizations utilize platforms, solutions, and other technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for business purposes. Some examples include creditors automating decisions on consumer approvals or employers using AI technology to assist with hiring determinations. The question becomes what framework should be placed around these processes and how can organizations implement some level of governance to avoid violations under laws like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), or China’s Personal Information Security Specification or overall data mismanagement that can result in a myriad of other issues?

M&A transactions in Thailand are similar to M&A transactions in other jurisdictions in respect of the need to conduct an initial antitrust review at the early stage of a trans-action since the 2017 Trade Competition Act of Thailand (TCA) came into existence. There are two key aspects: (1) pre-merger approval filing and post-merger notification filing under merger control regime, and (2) cartel risks during and after the due diligence process. As TCA and its enforcement are rela-tively new, some operators might not yet have a full grasp of what TCA requires on these two fronts, particularly the cartel risks.

I started working life as a litigation lawyer in one of the oldest Singapore law firms, handling all sorts of civil and criminal matters, and later corporate work. After a few years, I joined Baker McKenzie Singapore. To sharpen my saw, I was seconded to the firm’s Sydney and Melbourne offices for headline-grabbing private equity and public transactions.

Each year, ALB recognises leading women lawyers in Asia, who continually deliver impressive results in their respective practice areas and jurisdictions, earning accolades from colleagues and breaking ground in the process.