Rocky Lee is the Head of the China Venture & Private Equity practice for DLA Piper, one of the world's largest legal organisations.

As DLA Piper's top venture and private equity lawyer in Asia, he has won numerous awards and accolades. Mr. Lee is named by Asia Law & Practice as a Leading Lawyer in the fields of Venture Capital & Private Equity for three consecutive years (2005, 2006 and 2007) and in 2005, he was a Leading Lawyer in the fields of IT & Telecommunications in China.

In 2007, Asia Legal 500 in the 2007-2008 edition recognised Mr. Lee as the top VC/PE Lawyer in Asia. Again in 2007, Mr. Lee's China team won the Venture and Private Equity Counselor of the Year award from Top Capital, a leading Chinese venture and private equity publication. The Chambers Guides, a listing of the top lawyers in 175 countries providing independent rankings and editorial commentary, ranks Mr. Lee a "Band 1 Leading Individual /Leader in Asia" (the highest possible ranking) and his venture and private equity practice in China was also ranked in "Band 1" for 2007 and 2008 (highest possible ranking).

As a result of Mr. Lee's continued practice success, DLA Piper was recognised as the "Leading Venture Law Firm of 2006" by Zero2ipo, China's leading independent venture and private equity research firm. The prestigious award was given to DLA Piper and Mr. Lee based on total deal volume, dollars invested as measured by deal size and overall market reputation. DLA Piper won this same award in 2007 for the consecutive year.

Based in Beijing, Mr. Lee has worked extensively on China venture capital and private equity matters and represents some of the best known China venture capitalists and private equity investors such as AIG, Carlyle, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Ventures, Sequoia Capital China and Softbank.

Mr. Lee's work in the areas of media, telecommunications, e-commerce, wireless applications, outsourcing, venture financing, foreign exchange regulations, cross-border transaction structuring is recognised in a number of publications including: Asian FN, the Asian Venture Capital Journal, China Internet Weekly, China New Economy Weekly, China Top Capital Magazine, Financial Times, Private Equity Weekly, the Red Herring, Caijing Magazine, the Southern China Morning Post, Thomson Financial, Venture Capital Journal, and the Wall Street Journal Asia. As a leading expert of China’s emerging growth sectors and internet, wireless, new media, telecommunication and software businesses, he is often examining cutting edge technology and legal issues in China.

He also represents many start-ups, venture backed companies and emerging growth companies in the technology sectors as well as traditional businesses sectors. He regularly advises founders, CEOs and company boards on business and legal issues.

His active involvement in the China venture and private equity community has led to numerous accolades and recognition, including his appointment to China's Ministry of Foreign Commerce's (aka MOFCOM) international investment division as the exclusive international lawyer commenting on draft Chinese rules and regulations in connection with venture capital, private equity, fund formation and cross-border M&As. Mr. Lee is an established China venture industry speaker and has published numerous articles on China legal and business issues.

Mr. Lee graduated from the University of California Berkeley with High Honours and Academic Distinction. He received his Law degree, specialising in Business Law from the University of California Los Angeles. He is fluent in English and Mandarin.



"partner" refers to a member of DLA Piper UK LLP

Professional Qualification

• Attorney-at-law, registered with the State Bar of California