Nixon Peabody LLP

  • People
  • Capabilities
  • Insights
  • About

Trending Topics

    • People
    • Capabilities
    • Insights
    • About
    • Locations
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Alumni

    Practices

    View All

    • Affordable Housing
    • Community Development Finance
    • Corporate & Finance
    • Cybersecurity & Privacy
    • Environmental
    • Franchising & Distribution
    • Government Investigations & White Collar Defense
    • Healthcare
    • Intellectual Property
    • International Services
    • Labor & Employment
    • Litigation
    • Private Wealth & Advisory
    • Project Finance
    • Public Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Regulatory & Government Relations

    Industries

    View All

    • Cannabis
    • Consumer
    • Energy
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Services
    • Healthcare
    • Higher Education
    • Infrastructure
    • Manufacturing
    • Non Profit
    • Real Estate
    • Technology

    Value-Added Services

    View All

    • Alternative Fee Arrangements

      Developing innovative pricing structures and alternative fee agreement models that deliver additional value for our clients.

    • Continuing Education

      Advancing professional knowledge and offering credits for attorneys, staff and other professionals.

    • Crisis Advisory

      Helping clients respond correctly when a crisis occurs.

    • DEI Strategic Services

      Providing our clients with legal, strategic, and practical advice to make transformational changes in their organizations.

    • eDiscovery

      Leveraging law and technology to deliver sound solutions.

    • Global Services

      Delivering seamless service through partnerships across the globe.

    • Innovation

      Leveraging leading-edge technology to guide change and create seamless, collaborative experiences for clients and attorneys.

    • IPED

      Industry-leading conferences focused on affordable housing, tax credits, and more.

    • Legal Project Management

      Providing actionable information to support strategic decision-making.

    • Legally Green

      Teaming with clients to advance sustainable projects, mitigate the effects of climate change, and protect our planet.

    • Nixon Peabody Trust Company

      Offering a range of investment management and fiduciary services.

    • NP Capital Connector

      Bringing together companies and investors for tomorrow’s new deals.

    • NP Second Opinion

      Offering fresh insights on cases that are delayed, over budget, or off-target from the desired resolution.

    • NP Trial

      Courtroom-ready lawyers who can resolve disputes early on clients’ terms or prevail at trial before a judge or jury.

    • Social Impact

      Creating positive impact in our communities through increasing equity, access, and opportunity.

    1. Home
    2. People
    3. David K. ChengPeople
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. David K. ChengPeople

    David K. Cheng

    Partner / Chair and Managing Partner of China; Asia Pacific Practice


    • Hong Kong, Shanghai, San Francisco, Singapore
    • Office+852.9307.3900
      MobileHong Kong/ +852.9307.3900 China/ +86.156.2607.6649 US/ +1.650.387.3948 Singapore/ +65.8669.9309
    • dcheng@nixonpeabody.com
    • English (en) / 普通话 (zh)
    • Download vCard
    • Share
    • LinkedIn Profile

    Introduction

    David Cheng is the chair and managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s China and Asia-Pacific practice. He is qualified in both the United States and Hong Kong. He focuses on cross-border transactions, litigations and investigations, advising on issues ranging from acquisitions, capital financing (initial public offering), intellectual property protection and disputes to fraud, FCPA and SEC investigations. He has a client portfolio from all over the world: United States, Middle East, Europe, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, mainland China and Hong Kong.

    Practice Areas

    TaxImmigrationM&A and Corporate TransactionsCybersecurity & PrivacyGovernment Investigations & White Collar DefenseComplex DisputesSouth AsiaCFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.)

    My focus

    With a practice in international transactions and disputes and as a former U.S. Department of Justice attorney that had litigated over 90 cases in the U.S. Federal District Courts, my focus is very broad. Examples include: (1) advising on tax and corporate structures and conducting due diligence related to cross-border acquisitions and capital financing projects, assisting clients to minimize their risks and global tax impact (as part of that process, I have also advised clients on IP, employment, immigration and other local government requirements issues); and (2) representing clients in disputes and investigations potentially leading to litigations (this can range from tax or IP disputes to fraudulent acts by employees to government investigations (such as FCPA, U.S. Department of Justice, SEC and FMC)). I have also been the independent counsel of the Audit Committee in SEC investigations for various international companies based in Asia.

    Looking ahead

    Despite global tensions with countries creating new laws, regulations and policies setting new hurdles for doing global business, companies are still looking at new markets for opportunities to grow internationally.

    Admitted to practice

    California
    District of Columbia
    U.S. Tax Court
    U.S. Supreme Court
    Hong Kong

    Education

    Georgetown University Law Center, Taxation, with distinction
    Golden Gate University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude

    Recognition

    • David was selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 in the field of Tax Law. David has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2021.
    • Recognized by Chambers Global from 2011 to 2015.

    Languages

    Chinese

    In the News

    • China Business Law Journal

      Five compliance advisers assist China’s third largest e-commerce listing

      NP is mentioned for serving as US compliance counsel for client Zibuyu International Ltd. in the clothing and footwear company’s recent listing with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). Zibuyu is represented by China and Asia-Pacific practice managing partner David Cheng, of the Corporate group.

      Nov 15, 2022
    • San Francisco Business Times

      The quest for mutual benefit: The complicated China-U.S. business relationship gets more complicated

      This article covers a recent “Bridge from China” event, sponsored by NP, that included discussion of how the pandemic has affected cross-border business, and how to potentially tackle complex nuances of U.S.-China political and business relationships. David Cheng, chair and managing partner of NP’s China & Asia Pacific practice, served as a panelist, and David Kaufman, director of Global Strategies, co-moderated the panel discussion.
      April 28, 2022
    • The American Lawyer

      Deal Watch: Private equity hits new heights

      This article on the surge in private equity deals includes NP for advising the owners of skin care brand Obagi in its $1.2 billion business combination agreement with Waldencast Acquisition Corp. and the spinoff of Obagi’s operations in China.

      The NP team was led by David Cheng, chair and managing partner of the firm's China and Asia-Pacific practice, and New York City Corporate partners Michael Smith and Richard Langan. The team that advised Obagi also included Chicago Corporate partner David Brown, Rochester Corporate partner Jeremy Wolk, Washington, DC Complex Commercial Disputes partner and Antitrust team leader Gordon Lang, and Washington, DC Corporate senior counsel Kenneth Silverberg. Other members of the team included Boston Corporate associate Anthony Bova and Chinese legal consultant Kelly Xiang.

      Nov 22, 2021
    • Bloomberg Law

      Four firms lead three-way SPAC to create new beauty platform

      This article covering a roughly $1.2 billion merger of skin care and beauty brands with a special purpose acquisition company mentions NP for advising the owners of skin care brand Obagi in its business combination agreement with Waldencast Acquisition Corp. and the spinoff of Obagi's operations in China.

      The NP team was led by David Cheng, chair and managing partner of the firm's China and Asia-Pacific practice, and New York City Corporate partners Michael Smith and Richard Langan. The team that advised Obagi also included Chicago Corporate partner David Brown, Rochester Corporate partner Jeremy Wolk, Washington, DC Complex Commercial Disputes partner and Antitrust team leader Gordon Lang, and Washington, DC Corporate senior counsel Kenneth Silverberg. Other members of the team included Boston Corporate associate Anthony Bova and Chinese legal consultant Kelly Xiang.

      Nov 18, 2021
    • San Francisco Business Times

      After the turbulent Trump years ,what will it take for the U.S. and China to reset their relationship?

      This article covers a recent “Bridge from China“ event, sponsored by NP, that included discussion of how the pandemic has affected cross-border business, geopolitical tensions of recent years, and what the administration change could mean for U.S. businesses wanting to do business in China. David Cheng, chair and managing partner of NP’s China & Asia Pacific practice, served as a panelist and David Kaufman, director of Global Strategies, co-moderated the panel discussion.
      Feb 26, 2021
    • Rochester Business Journal

      Coronavirus putting crimp on firms doing business in China

      Rochester Corporate partner Jeremy Wolk authored this column about how employers with business operations in China are responding to the coronavirus outbreak and related travel restrictions. The article is based on an alert by Hong Kong Corporate partner David Cheng, Los Angeles Labor and Employment partner Benjamin Kim, San Francisco Labor and Employment senior counsel Jeffrey Tanenbaum and associate Rachel Conn, and Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman
      Feb 21, 2020
    • Forbes

      What trade trouble? China loosens foreign ownership of financial sector one year early

      This Forbes article describing China’s efforts to open its market to foreign investors.
      July 20, 2019
    • Asian Legal Business

      A Slow and Steady Approach for Nixon Peabody

      China & Asia-Pacific chair David Cheng and Global Strategies Committee chair and IP Counseling & Transactions practice group leader Jeff Costellia are quoted in this article focused on Nixon Peabody’s strategic expansion in Asia.
      Oct 4, 2016
    • Law360

      Over A Dozen Firms Guided Largest Q1 Real Estate Deals

      The $390M purchase of a premier site within New York’s South Street Seaport Subdistrict by Oceanwide Center NY LLC, a subsidiary of Oceanwide Holdings Co., is among the 10 largest Q1 real estate deals. Nixon Peabody advised Oceanwide on the transaction. The coverage notes the deal team was led by partners Denise Pursley, Colette Dafoe and David Cheng.
      May 4, 2016
    • Apple Daily (a Hong Kong newspaper)

      HK intends to create an online platform for house co-purchases

      Chair and managing partner of the firm’s China and Asia-Pacific practice David Cheng provides commentary on the legal issues with online money raising platforms in Hong Kong.
      Oct 19, 2015
    • Apple Daily (a Hong Kong newspaper)

      HKMA said whether to give license would depend on situation

      Chair and managing partner of the firm’s China and Asia-Pacific practice David Cheng provides commentary on the legal issues surrounding P2P lending.
      Oct 19, 2015
    • Law360

      Nixon Peabody, CWL Partners Join Forces in Hong Kong

      This feature story features the Nixon Peabody CWL combination. Quotes are included from managing partner and CEO Andrew Glincher, partner and chair of the firm’s China and Asia Pacific practice David Cheng, and Nixon Peabody CWL managing partner Kenneth Wong.
      Oct 8, 2015

    Insights And Happenings

    View All
    • Alert

      New Executive Order brings CFIUS criteria into sharper focus

      Sep 28, 2022
    • Alert

      China unveils new export control framework

      Oct 21, 2020
    • Alert

      Administration’s attempt to delete TikTok and WeChat: Latest trade tiff or new battle

      Aug 7, 2020
    View All

    Professionals in the Practice Area

    View All
    • Sean Clancy

      Partner / Co-leader, Tax
      • Washington DC
      • Office:202.585.8332
      • sclancy@nixonpeabody.com
      Sean Clancy
    • Shahzad A. Malik

      Partner / Co-leader, Tax
      • Los Angeles
      • Office:213.629.6039
      • smalik@nixonpeabody.com
      Shahzad A. Malik
    • Patrick (Rick) M. Cox

      Partner
      • New York
      • Office:212.940.3066
      • pcox@nixonpeabody.com
      Patrick (Rick) M. Cox
    • Kenneth H. Silverberg

      Senior Counsel
      • Washington DC
      • Office:202.585.8322
      • ksilverberg@nixonpeabody.com
      Kenneth H. Silverberg
    • Brian Kenney

      Associate
      • Washington DC
      • Office:202.585.8380
      • bkenney@nixonpeabody.com
      Brian Kenney
    View All

    Subscribe to stay informed of the latest legal news, alerts, and business trends.Subscribe

    • People
    • Capabilities
    • Insights
    • About
    • Locations
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Alumni
    • © 2023 Nixon Peabody. All rights reserved
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Statement of Client Rights
    • Supplier Diversity Program
    • Nixon Peabody International LLC
    • PAL