US Civil Litigation for Chinese Companies

Robert Williams represents Chinese companies in US federal court litigation, government investigations, and cross-border commercial disputes from Cohen & Gresser LLP in Washington DC.

With 22 years of experience in complex civil litigation, Robert handles the full spectrum of US court proceedings involving Chinese corporate parties. His practice includes antitrust defence, commercial contract disputes, securities class actions, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations, and enforcement actions brought by US federal agencies. He has appeared before federal district courts across the United States, the DC Circuit, and the US Supreme Court.

Practice Focus

• ⚖️ Commercial litigation — breach of contract, business torts, partnership disputes, and fraud claims in federal and state courts
• 📜 Government investigations — DOJ and SEC investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, sanctions violations, and trade secret misappropriation
• 🛡️ Antitrust litigation — civil antitrust claims, class action defence, and Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger compliance
• 💼 Cross-border discovery — managing US discovery obligations for Chinese parties, including Hague Evidence Convention procedures and document collection protocols
• 🌐 International arbitration support — coordinating US litigation with parallel arbitration proceedings and assisting with enforcement of foreign arbitral awards

Working Method

Robert begins each representation with a comprehensive case assessment that identifies viable legal theories, jurisdictional risks, discovery obligations, and settlement parameters. For Chinese clients, he places particular emphasis on navigating the procedural and cultural differences between US and Chinese litigation systems.

Throughout litigation, Robert provides regular strategy sessions and milestone-based reporting. He coordinates closely with Chinese legal counsel to manage document collection, witness preparation for US depositions, and compliance with US court orders that may have extraterritorial dimensions.

Local Practice in Washington DC

Washington DC is the centre of US federal litigation and regulatory enforcement. Robert's practice at Cohen & Gresser benefits from proximity to the federal district courts, the DOJ Antitrust Division, the SEC, and the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. The firm's DC office focuses on commercial litigation and regulatory enforcement actions with a particular emphasis on international matters.

Professional Standards

Robert is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and before the US Supreme Court. He is a member of the American Bar Association's Section of Litigation and the District of Columbia Bar's International Law Section. He maintains an active pro bono practice involving international human rights matters.

Typical Client Matters

Robert represents Chinese companies in commercial contract disputes in US federal courts. These typically involve allegations of breach of distribution agreements, technology licensing defaults, joint venture breakdowns, or supply chain contract disputes. He manages all phases of litigation including pleadings, discovery, dispositive motion practice, trial, and appeal.

In the government investigations space, Robert handles Foreign Corrupt Practices Act inquiries involving Chinese companies with US listings or operations. He manages document collection and review under the strict procedural requirements of DOJ investigations, prepares client presentations for government meetings, and negotiates the terms of any resolution or declination.

For Chinese companies facing securities class actions in US federal court, Robert coordinates the defence strategy with the company's D&O insurers, manages the motion to dismiss process on scienter and loss causation grounds, and handles the complex discovery obligations that arise in parallel with SEC investigations.

Navigating US Discovery for Chinese Parties

One of the most challenging aspects of US litigation for Chinese companies is managing discovery obligations that may conflict with Chinese law. Robert has extensive experience with the Hague Evidence Convention, Section 1782 applications, and the blocking statute issues that arise when US discovery requests seek documents or testimony located in China. He develops discovery protocols that satisfy US procedural requirements while respecting Chinese legal restrictions on cross-border evidence production.

Approach to Litigation Management

Robert believes that successful litigation outcomes depend on understanding the client's business objectives, not just the legal arguments. He begins every case by understanding what his client hopes to achieve commercially, whether that is a quick settlement, a precedent-setting decision, or a complete defence verdict. This commercial focus informs every strategic decision throughout the litigation.

For Chinese clients unfamiliar with the US litigation system, Robert provides an orientation session at the outset of the case explaining the procedural stages, typical timelines, cost structure, and the roles of the judge, jury, and various court personnel. He provides monthly status reports in plain language, reserving legal terminology for documents that require it. He coordinates with Chinese counsel on case strategy and ensures that key decisions are presented to the client with clear options and recommendations.

Why Clients Choose to Work with This Office

Clients choose this practice because the team delivers clear, commercially focused guidance that reflects a genuine understanding of the international business environment. Every engagement begins with a detailed consultation to understand the client\u2019s specific objectives, risk tolerance, and timeline. Throughout the relationship, the team maintains open communication and provides practical recommendations that address both the legal requirements and the underlying business goals. This approach has earned the trust of a growing number of international clients seeking reliable counsel in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.