Steve Dickinson
The bulk of Steve’s practice is with foreign companies who do business with China. Steve prides himself on working primarily in the “real” China: the world of the factories, fish plants, and farms that lie outside of Beijing and Shanghai. Work in these areas requires a command of the Chinese language and an appreciation for the history and culture of China and Steve possesses both of those in spades.
Having lived in China for years, and having mastered both its language and its legal system, Steve’s unique expertise makes him an invaluable resource for his clients. His work is done entirely in the Chinese language, which gives him a much deeper and more accurate understanding of the source material than can be obtained through translations or second-hand reports. It also greatly increases efficiency and thereby reduces costs.
Steve was named one of Washington State’s "5 Most Amazing Attorneys" by Washington CEO Magazine and, along with Harris & Moure attorney Dan Harris, Steve was also named one of only three “Washington State Amazing Lawyers” in International Law. Steve was the first attorney to be invited to China by an independent Bar Association and he has lectured in Chinese at the University of Beijing School of Law and to the Shanghai Bar Association.
Steve is a frequent speaker throughout the United States and in China (both in English and in Chinese) on various issues relating to International, Chinese, Japanese, and United States law. He also co-authors the China Law Blog.
Steve spends his free time reading Chinese poetry and philosophy and participating in Qingdao Hash House Harrier runs.
Education:
- University of Washington (B.A., summa cum laude, Chinese Language and Literature, 1980), Phi Beta Kappa
- University of Washington School of Law (JD with honors, 1984)
- Articles Editor, University of Washington Law Review
Published Articles:
- "The Creation of a Domestic Commercial Paper Market in Japan," Columbia Journal of Transnational Law
- "Outsourcing in China: Five Basics for Reducing Risk," Business and Law, February, 2005
- "The New Law about Limited Liability Companies of the People's Republic of China" (translated into German) for the GmbH Rundschau ("LLC Review") March, 2006
- Chapter on China for "International Corporate Procedures", 2006
Law Professor/Lecturer:
- Director of University of Washington School of Law Chinese Contract Litigation Project and Professor of International Contract Negotiation, 1994-2002
- Directed University of Washington Training Program for China legal professionals, 1995-2000
- Beijing University, School of Law, Lecturer (in Chinese), 1996-1999
- First attorney invited to China by an independent Bar Association
Lectured (in Chinese) to Shanghai Bar Association on United States law 1996-1998 - Frequent Speaker throughout the United States on various issues relating to International, Chinese, Japanese, and United States law
- Member of the International Development Law Organization. Rome, Italy, May 2006
Languages:
- Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written)
- Japanese (spoken and written)
- Basic Vietnamese
- Basic Mongolian
- Basic German
Practice Areas:
- International and China Corporate and Commercial Law
- International and China Intellectual Property Protection and Technology Licensing Law
- China Law
- China outsourcing Law
- Japan Law
- Vietnam law
