Professor Barale is a specialist in the legal aspects of doing business in China. In practice for more than 25 years, she advised foreign companies on direct investments, mergers and acquisitions, as well as technology licensing, engineering and construction projects, distribution and retailing operations, and the protection of intellectual property rights in China. Ms. Barale started her career in Hong Kong with Coudert Brothers, then moved to their Beijing office in 1993, where she worked through July 1989. She then spent the next four years in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, working with US-based clients on their China projects. In 1993, she joined the Frankfurt office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where she advised European companies on their China projects through the firm’s London, Paris and Frankfurt offices. In 1996, she moved back to Hong Kong as a partner in the firm, travelling frequently to the Beijing and Shanghai offices. She retired from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer at the end of 2006. During her years in China, Ms. Barale took an active role in the American Chamber of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China, especially in promoting its recognition by the PRC government. In 1989, she was elected President of AmCham China. Later in Hong Kong, Ms. Barale continued to be active in the American Chamber of Commerce, first as chair of the China Business Committee, then as a member of the board of governors. In 2004, she was elected as Chair to lead the American Chamber in Hong Kong. In 2005, Ms. Barale chaired the AmCham Charitable Foundation. Ms. Barale has advised on a wide variety of China projects ranging from cars and chemical plants to pharmaceuticals and franchising. She has also advised multinational corporations on the restructuring of joint ventures and the expansion of operations in China.

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