Steve Yu

Osborne Clarke China - M&A LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Profile

Steve (Guangyu) Yu is a founder of Osborne Clarke’s international legal practice in China. He previously led the China operations for major US and European law firms.

As China Co-Managing Partner, Mr. Yu’s role includes directing Osborne Clarke’s three-dimensional client strategy in China, combining legal expertise, sector understanding and transformational insight to help clients shape their future in China. The strategy responds to global mega-trends that are transforming business, such as digital transformation, the transition to a net zero future and adapting the ever-evolving urban dynamics of how people live, work and travel.

With a background in mergers and acquisitions, corporate and finance transactions, Mr. Yu’s practice encompasses a broad range of acquisitions and divestitures, restricted industry investments, consolidation and restructuring transactions, direct foreign investments and franchising.

A large proportion of Mr. Yu’s practice involves acting for clients in the digital business sector. A significant amount of this work involves cross-border transactions, strategic technology licensing, R&D and commercialization of IP rights. He argued one of China’s first Internet-related unfair competition cases.

Alongside this, Mr. Yu is one of the first Chinese lawyers advising western clients on China’s emerging antitrust law. He is individually recognized in “Country Survey – China Competition Practice” by Global Competition Review.

With extensive experience in corporate governance, Mr. Yu advises leading US and British non-for-profit organizations and charities promoting education and environmental sustainability. He sits on the supervisory board of two British-invested companies in China.

He is a frequent speaker on China-related policies, regulatory and business issues.

Mr. Yu received his LL.B. from NCUT in Beijing, and his LL.M. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago.