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Brendan Kelly

Brendan Thomas Kelly

Registered Foreign Lawyer
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Not admitted to practice law in this jurisdiction

Biography

Brendan T. Kelly is a registered foreign lawyer of Baker McKenzie's Hong Kong office and head of the China Tax Practice. Brendan has practiced tax with an Asian focus for about 25 years, with two decades based in China. He has performed a wide range of analysis for various industries with regard to China tax implications, and specializes in advising cross-border clients on tax and legal implications of investment in China.

Brendan also has in recent years expanded into regional and global work with multinationals on major mergers and acquisitions, to develop integrated and tax-efficient supply chain structures and defend against tax audits and assessments in China and across the Asia Pacific region. While China remains very much at the core of his practice, Brendan works on a variety of multi-jurisdictional deals and matters on behalf of his clients.

Practice Focus

Brendan's practice focuses on tax structuring and planning in China across a range of industries and cross-border M&A tax.

Professional Honors

  • Hall of Fame (Tax, China) – Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2023, 2022, 2021)
  • Band 1 Lawyer (Tax: PRC Law (International Firms)) – Chambers Greater China Region (2023, 2022)
  • Band 1 Lawyer (Tax: PRC Law (International Firms)) – Chambers Asia Pacific (2021, 2020, 2019)
  • Tax Leader in China – International Tax Review, Tax Leaders Expert Guide (2020)
  • Leading Individual (Tax, China) – Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007)
  • Tax Controversy Leader in China – International Tax Review, Tax Controversy Leaders Guide (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013)
  • Tax Lawyer of the Year – China Law & Practice Awards (2018)
  • Leading Lawyer (Tax: PRC law (International Firms), China) – Chambers Asia Pacific (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
  • Corporate Tax Lawyer of the Year (China) – International Law Office (ILO) Client Choice Awards (2017, 2016, 2015)
  • Indirect Tax Leader in China – International Tax Review, Indirect Tax Leaders Guide (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016)
  • Client Choice Top 20 Lawyer – ALB China (2013)
  • Leading Lawyer (China) –  Asialaw (2013)
  • Legal experts in Taxation in the Asia Pacific regional – Asialaw Leading Lawyers (2012)
  • Leading Lawyer (Tax, China) – Chambers Asia Pacific (2010, 2009, 2008)
  • Endorsed Lawyer (Tax, China) – PLC Which Lawyer? (2012, 2011)
  • Recognised Lawyer (Tax, China) – PLC Which Lawyer? (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Chamber of Commerce

Admissions

  • New York~United States (2001)

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D.) (1997)
  • Trinity University (B.A. Economics and Chinese) (1994)

Languages

  • English
  • Mandarin

Previous Offices

  • Shanghai