Jodi Wu
Overview
I highly recommend Jodi Wu for her outstanding legal acumen, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to her clients.” “She provides sound and pragmatic advice on China matters.” - The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2025; Chambers Greater China, 2025
Jodi Wu leads Kirkland’s Asia Government, Regulatory, and Internal Investigations Practice Group. She has broad experience in the areas of anti-corruption, complex financial fraud, conflicts of interest, sanctions, export controls and data privacy. Jodi advises private equity firms, portfolio companies, and public and private multinational companies on responding to government inquiries, leading complex internal investigations, conducting transactional due diligence and advising on general compliance matters.
Jodi has been recognized as a “Next Generation Partners” by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and as an “Up and Coming” lawyer by Chambers Greater China. She was named “Future Star” in White Collar Crime by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025. She was also featured in the Global Investigations Review’s “40 Under 40” in 2020 and the “Women in Investigations” series in 2015.
Experience
Representative Matters
Government & Internal Investigation
- Conducted numerous internal investigations on behalf of life sciences companies related to anti-corruption, embezzlement, sales data manipulation, self-dealing, product registration, sponsorships and grants, and third parties and distributors
- Conducted complex investigations in China, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and Korea
- Led internal investigations on behalf of several global private equity sponsors involving conflicts of interest and other misconduct
- Counseled multiple U.S.-based life sciences companies in respond to investigations by the State Administration for Market Supervision and other Chinese regulators related to anticorruption allegations, violations of patient privacy, improperly registered products and other issues
- Represented Special Committee of Luckin Coffee related to allegations of fraudulent accounting by senior executives in advance of the company’s IPO
- Represented the Audit Committee of a U.S.-listed Chinese peer-to-peer lending company in response to short-seller allegations related to accounting fraud and other misconduct
- Conducted numerous internal investigations on behalf of the Audit Committee of a Hong Kong-listed company in response to numerous whistleblower complaints related its China-based business
- Represented a major gaming industry client in an FCPA and anti-money laundering investigation conducted by the DOJ
Transactional & Compliance Matters
- Anti-corruption, sanctions, anti-money laundering and international risks counsel to multiple global private equity firms regarding investments across Asia-Pacific, including China, India, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand
- Conducted global risk assessments on behalf of multiple global private equity sponsors involving portfolio companies and investments worldwide
- Represented The LYCRA Company in its joint venture with Yinchuan city government to set up manufacturing operations in the Yinchuan city to produce spandex products
- Represented Carlyle in its proposed acquisition of KFC Holdings Japan, Ltd. (9873.T), the operator of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) fast-food franchise in Japan, together with the related long term franchise arrangements with brand owner, Yum! Brands
- Represented L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: LCAA), a special purpose acquisition company formed by affiliates of L Catterton, on its business combination with Lotus Technology Inc., a leading global luxury electric vehicle maker that operates under the iconic British brand, Lotus. This transaction was named “Deals of the Year 2023” by China Business Law Journal and “Best Equity Deal - China Offshore” (Highly commended) by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2024
Sanctions, Export Controls & Data Privacy
- Counsels a variety of U.S., international and multinational companies, hedge funds, private equity funds, venture funds, Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, financial institutions and investment advisers in matters concerning U.S. export controls, economic embargoes and sanctions, investment security reviews (CFIUS review), supply chain security, customs, and trade remedies and other trade-related investigations, often in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other business transactions
- Advises multinational companies on compliance with Chinese state secret, anti-espionage, cybersecurity and data privacy laws
More
Thought Leadership
Publications
Co-author, "Newly Released Draft Measures on Data Security Management Strengthen China’s Data Protection Framework," Pratt's Privacy & Cybersecurity Law Report, November–December 2019
Co-author, "Shifting U.S. Enforcement Priorities—Should Chinese Companies be Worried?" Bloomberg Law, 17 June 2019
Co-author, "A Shift in U.S. FCPA Policy—Should Chinese Companies be Worried?" Bloomberg Law, 10 June 2019
Co-author, “Heads or Tails? Are Europe’s GDPR and China’s Cybersecurity Law Two Sides of the Same Coin?” China Business Law Journal, 25 May 2018
“Challenges and Advice for Multinational Companies in Complying With Chinese Cybersecurity Law,” New York Law Journal, 23 February 2018
“China’s Second Draft Cybersecurity Law’s Expands Data Localization Requirement,” Legaltech News, 19 September 2016
Recognition
“Future Star,” White Collar Crime, Hong Kong, Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific (2025)
“Up and Coming”, Corporate Investigations / Anti-corruption (International Firms) - China, Chambers Greater China (2024–2025), Chambers Global (2024–2025)
Recognized in India: Foreign Firms, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2025)
“Next Generation Partner” in Hong Kong: Regulatory: White-collar, Compliance and Investigations, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024–2025)
“A-List Rising Stars” (International), China Business Law Journal (2024–2025)
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- Hong Kong, Registered Foreign Lawyer
- District of Columbia
- California
Languages
- English
- Mandarin
Education
- Stanford Law SchoolJ.D.
- University of ChicagoB.S.
News &
Insights
- Kirkland Alert BIS Rescission of the Biden Administration’s AI Diffusion Framework
- Award Kirkland Honored With Eight Recognized Practice Areas and Four Star Attorneys in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
- Press Release Kirkland Advises Bain Capital-backed Bridge Data Centres on its US$2.8 Billion Jumbo Loan Financing
- Kirkland Alert “America First Investment Policy” Signals Heightened Focus on China and Tightening of CFIUS and Outbound Investment Controls
- Award Three Kirkland Partners Recognized Among CBLJ’s 2024-25 A List: Rising Stars