Serena Du

I am a senior associate in our Corporate & Commercial Group based in Shanghai. I focus on the automotive and aviation sectors, as well as the general manufacturing industry. My practice covers commercial, regulatory and transactional issues for foreign investment in China.

I joined Bird & Bird in 2016, and started out in the Commercial team. I was working for automotive clients on various matters such as contract reviews, supply chain and quality disputes, regulatory compliance and transactional projects.

I have since gained a broader range of experience, advising clients in different sectors such as aviation, media & sports and technology, where I can extend my interest in the supply chain study to the consumer or end-user level. I am also interested in the controversial issues surrounding manufacturing digitalisation and AI.

• Represented a German first tier automotive supplier and engineering company on the relocation of a factory and the merger of two WFOE in China.
• Represented several European auto suppliers and chemical manufacurers on the establishment of a very large equity joint venture for manufacturing car parts with SOE in China.
• Represented a foreign airline on its GSA appointment in China.
• Represented a prestigious UK school in connection with its development agreement for setting up an international K-12 school with an SOE partner in Yunnan.
• Represented a US leading senior care business in its strategic franchise business restructuring in China, including establishment of a joint venture with an SOE.
• Represented a high-end jewellery retailer in its launch of its flagship store in Shanghai as well as its e-commerce stores in China.
• Represented a UK-based media content provider in its market entry in China and cooperation with major Chinese online content distributors including Baidu.
• Represented a well-known UK technology company on its cross-border service agreement with its SOE partner relating to the provision of a cloud-based service.