Runmin (Ivy) Gao

Full Profile

Runmin (Ivy) Gao is a tenacious litigator who specializes in all types of complex commercial and business matters involving contract disputes, fraud, investment issues, corporate governance disputes, and the protection of trade secrets. Ivy has obtained successful results for her clients in numerous court proceedings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials. Using her experience in commercial litigation, her unique background as a native of China, and having studied and licensed in PR/China, Ivy provides advice to business entities, especially on cross-border transactions and international contract negotiations. 

Ivy began her legal career in Beijing, China, where she represented multinational financial institutions and corporations in transactional investment banking and finance matters.

During law school, Ivy received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for achieving the highest grade in Property Law. She served as an extern for Emerson Electric Co. at its global headquarters, assisting with international compliance issues and Chinese regulations. During the last two years in law school, Ivy worked with the Vice Dean and one leading professor in Property as research assistant. Her dedication and work product was highly spoke of, which was being particularly acknowledged in these professors’ publications. In her spare time, Ivy enjoys writing Chinese calligraphy, playing the piano, and reading. She is proficient in Mandarin and French.

Admissions

• California 
• US District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California
• US District Court for the District of Colorado
• US Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California
• US Court of Appeals for the Ninth and Tenth Circuits
• People's Republic of China

Education

• M.B.A., Westcliff University, 2021
• J.D., Washington University – St. Louis, 2016
• LL.M., Washington University – St. Louis, 2012
• LL.B., China University of Political Science and Law, 2010
• Distinguished Exchange Student, University of Oxford, Oriel College (Oxford, England), 2008

Memberships

• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

Experience

• Notable Trial Experience
  • Second chaired a trial on behalf of a Chinese client regarding commercial lease disputes. Case settled with favorable result.
  • Prepared a trial defending several Chinese clients regarding investment disputes. Case settled through mediation and obtained client desired result.
  • Representation of a Chinese real estate broker defendant in $2.5 million jury trial regarding claims of breach of fiduciary duty; successfully obtained Court order quashing opposing party’s enforcing partial judgment while Order Granting Partial New Trial and the underlying case both on appeal.
• Federal & State Court
  • Representation of minority shareholders in a $30 million mixed-use development project; successfully moved to compel production of withheld corporate documents.
  • Representation of a bank in a $20 million construction loan dispute involving multiple parties; instrumental in achieving favorable settlement for client at mediation before jury trial.
  • Representation of Chinese manufacturer in product liability and indemnification litigation.
  • Representation of property owner and project developer in a $9 million construction delay dispute.
  • Representation of Chinese partnership in defending employee disputes. After rounds of discovery and depositions, successfully settled matter and protected the partnership’s reputation for future fund raising.
  • Representation of Chinese-owned company defending a 10-year commercial lease dispute in volving multiple related companies. Strategized and navigated case in achieving global resolution without high exposure.
  • Representation of Chinese national conducting business in the United States in personal bankruptcy proceedings.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Representation of immigrant welfare non-profit organization in conducting internal investigation regarding potential officer’s breach of fiduciary duties and violation of laws. 
  • Representation of multi-national corporation settling unfair competition and antitrust allegations
  • Representation of national healthcare equipment producer before an arbitration panel and successfully challenged prior arbitration award corrected.
• Transactional & Consulting Matters
  • Advised corporations in relation to cross-border investment in China, including structuring deals through mergers and acquisitions, establishment of joint ventures or subsidiaries, franchise, distribution, and licensing agreements.
  • Advised of top four state-owned Chinese banks on residential mortgage-backed security (RMBS) dispute.
  • Advised one American Fortune Global 500 corporation on trademark infringement in Chinese market regarding one medication name.
  • Representation of non-financial institution in applying for foreign exchange license in China.
  • Representation of national manufacturer in structuring promotion and awards system avoiding antitrust and information privacy violations to potential customers in California and New York.
  • Advising of multi-national company conducting business in Asia, Europe, and America regarding selling account receivables to China-based international bank.
  • Advised an Asian investment bank on $20 million commercial instrument dispute.
  • Advised a client regarding hiring candidate from competitor and the potential to solicit candidate’s client accounts facing robust confidential information and trade secret terms in employment agreement.

Publications

• Intellectual Property Publishing House ISBN: 9787802478084, Jan 1, 2010