Charles Zhan is a partner with Moulis Legal and also heads our international trade practice. He is a leading lawyer in our international regulatory and commercial law practice.
Charles’ practice focuses on trade defence and cross-border transactions. He is well versed in advising private and public sector clients in trade defence matters. Charles also leads Moulis Legal’s China Business Desk with respect to a broad range of commercial matters including competition, investment, and cross-border disputation and enforcement.
Charles has represented major international companies operating in a range of industries, including in the agrichemical, aluminium, automobile, electrical, energy, engineering, glass, paper, renewable, and steel sectors. He has a superior understanding of the dynamic trade, investment and business issues concerning Australia and its major trading partners at the policy and legal levels, and hands-on experience in representing clients across various Asian and European countries, including acting on behalf of foreign governments in their trade law and policy relationship with Australia.
Charles has assisted clients in a variety of trade defence matters. These include anti-dumping and countervailing investigations and appeals, customs compliance, competition law, cross-border trade dispute, matters involving international investment, commercial transactions, and commercial and judicial review litigation. Charles’ analytical and problem-solving skills, strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and cross-cultural understanding allow him to provide top quality and highly regarded advice to our clients.
Before moving to Australia, Charles lived in Beijing and studied in Shanghai where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law majoring in Maritime Law. He gained a variety of experiences in Beijing in commercial law, maritime arbitration and international air cargo logistics before studying at the Australian National University in Canberra, where he was awarded with a Juris Doctor. Naturally, Charles communicates in both Mandarin and English, at the highest business and technical level.
Charles actively engages with the business and legal communities through his regular participation at various local and internationally focused business and industry council events, and has hosted seminars regarding cross-border trade, investment issues, and Australia-China business development. Charles also takes an active role in Australia’s key China trade NGO, as vice-president of the ACT Division of the Australia China Business Council.
Outside of work, Charles is completing his newest Master of Law degree in Public and International Law with the University of Melbourne, whilst also finding time to enjoy good food, gardens, books, movies, and (non-work related) travels with his family.