November 10, 2022 (California) – Experienced international financing and mergers & acquisitions attorney Julian Zou has joined Procopio’s Silicon Valley office as its latest Partner. Julian counsels corporate clients from startups to multinational corporations on venture capital, M&A, foreign direct investment—both inbound into and outbound from Asia—finance and banking. His clients include innovative life sciences and technology companies.

“Julian Zou is a great fit for Procopio, given our extensive corporate law practice throughout California and our active engagement with Pacific Rim-focused clients,” said Procopio Managing Partner John D. Alessio. “His demonstrated success in managing the complexities of corporate finance transactions, in particular involving China, enhances our ability to serve corporate clients in the U.S. and Asia.”

On the financing side, Julian has represented numerous life sciences and technology clients in various financing rounds, netting some startups tens of millions of dollars. He’s also represented clients on both buy-side and sell-side in complex M&A transactions, some involving hundreds of millions of dollars. Julian has also represented investors and portfolio companies in private equity and venture investments.

As part of his cross-border Asia Pacific practice Julian has experience facilitating compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) as well as Chinese anti-bribery law counseling and investigations. He is admitted to practice law in the U.S. and qualified in China. Julian has represented an economic development agency of the Beijing municipal government in its acquisition of an American semiconductor manufacturing company, and an Asian consumer electronics company in various overseas expansions, including establishment of a research and development center, employment, and venture capital investment.

“I joined Procopio with the aim to continue providing our cross-border clients with the best legal services.  Procopio has the ability, the bandwidth, and, most importantly, the dedication required to cater to local, national and international clients and I am very excited to be part of this team.”

Julian has academic degrees from institutions in both Asia and the United States. He earned an LLB in International Economic Law from Soochow University in Suzhou, China, and an LLM from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics. He holds a JD from the University of Washington School of Law, as well as several academic certificates, including one in Artificial Intelligence from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and another in Chinese and American Studies from the Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies.

Between our Emerging Growth and Venture Capital, Capital Markets and Securities, and Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Joint Ventures practices, our corporate law attorneys counsel startups from inception on corporate and securities law, capital financing, securing intellectual property portfolios, important customer and vendor contracts and more. Procopio’s corporate lawyers assist with recurring items such as contract reviews, terms and conditions on purchases and sales, non-disclosure agreements, routine regulatory compliance matters, corporate governance matters and much more. They seek to ensure continued capital flow that complies with state and federal regulations as well as addressing any cross-border challenges, whether the client stays private or goes public. And as that client grows, our attorneys work to develop strategic next steps, including acquisition, strategic partnership, or exit.