Penny graduated with an LL.B degree from Tongji University and an LL.M. in International, European and Commercial Law from the University of Sheffield. She has also obtained a diploma for PgDL study at the College of Law of the England and Wales.

Before joining Watson & Band in 2022, Penny practiced in mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, capital markets, and finance at prominent US, British, and German law firms as a corporate lawyer in their Shanghai offices. With over 14 years of experience, Penny has served cross-border companies in various industries, including manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy, IT, consulting, pharmacy, retail, and e-commerce. She continues to provide practical advice on FIE shareholding, acquisitions, joint ventures, internal contract system management, employment issues, anti-corruptions, and compliance.  

Penny has also represented Chinese issuers (Red Chip companies) and underwriters in Hong Kong IPOs and worked as legal counsel for Chinese entities of multinational companies in the real estate, software development, and retail industries. 

Notable Cases:

• Advised a global engineering group focused on the precise control and movement of fluids in its RMB100 million joint venture with a PRC leading public listed control valve supplier.

• Counseled a prominent U.S. power generation corporation (listed in Fortune's 2008 America's Most Admired Companies) on various legal issues, including its acquisition of equity shares from a Denmark-based leading intelligent automation systems manufacturer.

•  Guided a world leader in the habitat and construction/building materials in its acquisition of a leading liquid crystal technology manufacturer;

• Advised on the MBO acquisition of the Chinese entity (global leader in solar inverters R&D and manufacturing) by a domestic company.

• Asisted a well-known global automotive supplier in structuring its shareholding and establishing a limited liability partnership in the PRC.

• Counseled a leading integrated technology group on setting up a joint venture with a domestic flight simulation R&D and manufacturing company.

• Advised a UK baby products company on franchising business in the PRC.

• Guided a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering on joint venture establishment.

• Assisted a NASDAQ-listed application performance optimizing service provider in acquiring a leading internet application system provider.

• Advised a leading logistics company on acquiring assets from a domestic logistics company with nationwide franchises in the PRC.

Participated in advising an international construction group on acquiring 46% shares (US$0.4 billion transaction) from a leading domestic cement manufacturer, involving negotiations on business restructuring, land purchasing, mining rights, and bankruptcy.