David Kaufman is the Director of Global Strategies at Nixon Peabody LLP. In this role, he manages and helps develop strategy for the firm’s International Practice, international offices, and relationships with law firms around the world. David works extensively with clients from the United States doing business around the globe and international clients in the U.S. Last year, David was involved in transactions, cases, and other matters touching almost 140 different countries. He has a long history of doing business in China and has worked with NP’s robust Asia-Pacific practice since its creation. Outside the U.S., NP has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, and London. During his tenure, David has served in a variety of leadership positions at the firm, including supervising the regional business development function and leading sales teams for an array of practice groups/industries. Since March 2020, David has also been coordinating the firm's external, client-facing Coronavirus Response Team. In addition, he co-leads the Retail Industry Sector team for TerraLex, one of the largest global law firm networks covering 164 jurisdictions in 101 countries.
Relationships. There is nothing more critical to providing effective legal counsel than strong relationships. Therefore, I focus on how our firm relates to our clients, potential clients, business connections and our larger community. I help our attorneys build stronger bonds with our clients and build better bridges to community around us.
Globalization has changed the way lawyers deliver legal services. Our clients demand and should expect seamless service across time zones, borders and languages. I work with our attorneys to deliver those truly global solutions to help our clients succeed, wherever they are doing business.
Although we are in a period of significant disruption, I truly believe that innovation and cooperation will help clients succeed in the future. I am working with several clients that have had to pivot and develop new approaches to their business models as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This innovation will continue and these innovative approaches will continue to bolster these organizations for years to come. Also, I believe finding ways to partner and work with others will be increasingly important. This cooperation will be global. The scope of international legal work will continue to expand, both in geographic diversity and scope. Truly global lawyers, like we have at NP, will be called upon to manage transactions, disputes, IP and other legal matters that involve multiple markets that are often emerging and may not involve their home geography.
San Francisco Business Times | April 28, 2022
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.
Rochester Business Journal | October 08, 2021
Rochester Complex Commercial Disputes associate Eric Ferrante contributed this column highlighting recent changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program that may make it more attractive to businesses on the fence about seeking government relief funds. The article is based on a client alert Eric co-authored with Boston Complex Commercial Disputes partner Morgan Nighan, Chicago Global Finance partner Robert Drobnak, and Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman.
San Francisco Business Times | February 26, 2021
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.
Rochester Business Journal | February 21, 2020
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
San Francisco Chronicle | February 07, 2020
This article quotes Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman discussing the enormous supply chain impact from the lockdown of manufacturing and high-tech hub Wuhan, China, and its surrounding region.
China Daily | July 26, 2019
This article quotes Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman on the outlook for cross-border investment between the United States and China, which is likely to include a reduced focus on high tech but new opportunities in tourism, travel and education.
Forbes | July 20, 2019
This Forbes article describing China’s efforts to open its market to foreign investors.
