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Susan Munro

Susan Munro has represented clients in connection with investments, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, investigations, and disputes matters in mainland China, the Hong Kong SAR, and more broadly the Asian region for more than 25 years. From 1997 until 2001, she practiced as a barrister in the Hong Kong SAR. From 2001 to 2010, she was based in Shanghai with a U.S. law firm, where she worked on disputes, investments and U.S. SEC, DOJ, and internal investigations in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, alternative energy, financial services, and other industries. From 2010 to 2020 she was based full-time in Beijing, where she headed up the office of a U.S. law firm and represented Chinese state-owned enterprises, financial institutions, U.S. listed companies, and a large global investment fund in connection with investments, international regulatory compliance, cybersecurity and data privacy, investigations, and cross-border disputes. Prior to joining K&L Gates, Susan served as the Registered Partner of a U.S. firm in Hong Kong. In this role, she focused on transactions, international regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, ESG, employment, and international arbitration.

Throughout her career Susan has developed her international arbitration practice, including client representations, arbitrator appointments and voluntary arbitral institutional roles, such as Co-Chair of the ICC Belt & Road Commission (2020 to 2022). She is a member of Arbitral Women and is listed in Mute Off Thursdays Global Guide to Women Arbitrators, 2022.

Susan has near-native Chinese language capabilities and has earned undergraduate degrees and diplomas in Chinese from educational institutions in the UK and Shanghai. She has been ranked in Chambers Global, Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption: China from 2015 to 2020, in Chambers Asia-Pacific, Corporate investigations/Anti-Corruption: China from 2012 to 2021, and in Chambers Greater China Region, Corporate investigations/Anti-Corruption: China in 2022. One source describes her as a "phenomenal lawyer," while another considers her "easy to work with, prudent and calm," noting that she is "very informed on the ground in China."

  • Recognized by Chambers Greater China Region and Chambers Global for Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (International Firms) in China, 2022-2024
  • China Law & Practice, Lawyer of the Year, Regulatory & Compliance, 2015
  • ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR
  • ICC Hong Kong National Committee
  • Shanghai Arbitration Commission, panel of arbitrators
  • Member Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Co-Chair International Pacific Bar Association, Corruption, and Rule of Law Committee
  • Co-Chair, American Chamber of Commerce China, Legal Affairs Committee
  • “Practical Compliance in an Evolving Global Regulatory Environment”, The Hong Kong New Chapter Legal Summit, Hong Kong Policy Research Institute, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, 16 November 2022
  • Panel on “Social Co-Governance,” Ninth International Forum on Fair Competition Policy of China, State Administration of Market Regulation, Beijing, 15 November 2022
  • “Five Legal Issues for SMEs”, American Chamber of Commerce China, Beijing, 14 October 2022
  • International Arbitration Summit 2022, developments in Hong Kong and China arbitration, London, Legal Business Review, 28 June 2022
  • “Navigating the New Economic Sanctions Era: Impact on Global Business/Sanctions Risk Management”, online panelist discussing impact of Russia-related economic sanctions, Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law Committee Inter-Pacific Bar Association, Hong Kong, 2 June 2022
  • “China’s Network Data Security Regulations: Clarity at Last or Another Compliance Nightmare?”, online panelist discussing implementation of new China data privacy regime, PrivSec China Virtual Forum organized by GRC World Forums, 15 March 2022
  • “APAC Fund Manager Briefing: Current Top of Mind Issues to Ponder On”, online presentation on U.S. economic sanctions, AIMA, Hong Kong, 17 March 2022
Additional Thought Leadership Pages
Additional News & Event Pages
  • Mentioned, "A comparison of data protection laws," Asia Business Law Journal (online), 13 July 2022
  • Mentioned, "APAC Fund Manager Briefing: Current Top of Mind Issues to Ponder On," AIMA.org, 11 March 2022
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