Spearheaded by the ‘very knowledgeable, versatile, commercial’ Johnny Choi, DLA Piper’s team has extensive expertise in the full spectrum of employment issues, including non-compete claims, employee data privacy issues, and outsourcing transactions. The outfit displays strong cross-border capabilities, leveraging the vast knowledge of its network of 90 offices worldwide, with Choi bringing insight in the tech and life sciences industries from his bases in Hong Kong and Beijing. Senior consultant Xu Zhou, based in Shanghai, and consultant Ning Zhou, based in Beijing, are also both cited as key contacts.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘DLA continues to be my go-to firm, for its expertise in employment law. The team provides succinct and good legal advice, and is able to balance between compliance with law and the organisation’s business operations/needs.’
  • ‘Johnny Choi and Ning Zhou are amazing! Great partners, and have continued to guide us on the employment laws in China which can be tricky to navigate.’
  • ‘DLA Piper's employment law team is not only experienced and capable of supporting clients in multiple jurisdictions, but also provides legal services quickly and effectively, and is willing to understand clients' needs and requirements, so as to provide practical legal advice. The fees are reasonable, and they are willing to listen to clients and continuously improve their services.’
  • ‘In China, we mainly work with attorneys Johnny Choi and Xu Zhou. We are very satisfied with their responsiveness, client orientation and practicality.’
  • ‘I have found the team to be very supportive, providing high-quality technical advice and responding to questions promptly. They have also helped me to understand more about the local employment frameworks in China.’
  • ‘I would specifically mention Johnny Choi. His technical expertise is excellent and he has provided detailed advice which has been commercially focussed and easy to apply in practice. Johnny has been able to explain clearly the impact of the local legislation and how best to apply this to various scenarios. He has also been excellent at responding to further queries I have had and always does so promptly.’
  • ‘We have worked with DLA Piper for several years. One of the reasons we continue to use it is that the goals of the firm effectively align with our company goals and needs. The firm has a commitment to technology and innovation which enhances its appeal. The firm has built a strong relationship with us grounded in transparency and reliable results. Its attorneys have the right expertise and insight, effective in communication and responsiveness. We rely on the firm for transparency of cost and predictable pricing. The firm is also good at adopting emerging legal technologies for efficiency.’
  • ‘I mostly work with Johnny Choi. He is very professional and easy to understand. He is accessible and responsive despite the almost 12 hours’ time difference between my location and his. Johnny has earned my trust through clear communication that not only eases stress, but lowers anxiety, and clarifies uncertainties. He is a subject matter expert in labour and employment law and gives sound advice that helps protect our business interests. Johnny has taken the time to learn our business. This intimate knowledge of our business allows him to give us sound advice that is rooted in our values and goals. I feel confident that Johnny is invested in ensuring we get the greatest outcomes for all our matters.’

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Johnny Choi

Other key lawyers

Xu Zhou, Ning Zhou