Ziwen Zhu

Ziwen acts as a trusted, outside general counsel-level advisor to international companies expanding into the United States. Clients in the technology, manufacturing, energy, and e-commerce sectors rely on her as their first call when navigating regulatory challenges, government scrutiny, operational issues, or strategic decisions about U.S. expansion.

Ziwen guides clients through every phase of U.S. investment — from structuring entities and managing CFIUS reviews to safeguarding their intellectual property rights. She proactively addresses potential legal risks in contract drafting and negotiations, resolves disputes, and ensures compliance across export control, privacy, employment, and industry-specific regulations.

Ziwen has represented multinational technology and telecommunications companies in government investigations and high-profile litigations, including sensitive national security reviews and other matters under heightened regulatory scrutiny. She also advises energy storage, EV supply-chain companies, and other foreign investors managing complex U.S. compliance requirements. As a native Mandarin speaker, Ziwen bridges cultural and legal differences that often complicate cross-border transactions by combining clear communication with culturally aware, actionable advice.

Ziwen’s business-focused counsel — integrated with support across Troutman’s international, corporate governance, IP, M&A, technology, employment, and litigation practices — allows her clients to focus on growth while she manages their overlapping legal risks. Whether establishing a greenfield manufacturing facility, acquiring a U.S. company, responding to a government investigation, or resolving day-to-day operational issues, foreign companies trust Ziwen to help them invest successfully in the United States.

Corporate Transactions

• Advised a Chinese manufacturer in its greenfield investment, asset, and stock acquisition in Oklahoma with a total investment amount exceeding $30 million.
• Advise Chinese manufacturers in establishing their U.S. subsidiaries and operations in multiple states and draft and negotiate commercial agreements.
• Represented a U.S. wind energy company in acquiring target companies in Colorado and Texas.
• Represented a multinational technology corporation in connection with its corporate restructuring in the U.S.

Government Investigations and Dispute Resolutions

• Counseled clients to obtain approvals from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. for their investment in the U.S. (CFIUS)
• Counseled clients in responding to U.S. government investigations conducted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Office of Export Enforcement, and Department of Justice.
• Counseled a client in companies’ internal investigations in connection with criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice.
• Counseled a client on contract disputes before the International Chamber of Commerce and American Arbitration Association.

Intellectual Property Rights

• Represented a U.S.-based gardening company in 337 investigations before the U.S. International Trade Commission protecting its trade secrets, trademark and copyrights.
• Prosecuted and managed trademark portfolios for U.S.-based multinational companies in the U.S., Canada, European Union, UK, China, Japan, Korea, and UAE.
• Negotiated and drafted trademark license agreements.
• Counseled clients in selecting, clearing, and registering trademarks.

• Ambassador Award by Ambassador of Switzerland to China (2005)