Runmin (Ivy) GAO
Partner Title：Partner of DeHeng Los Angeles Office
Working Language： Chinese/ English
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. Drawing on her commercial litigation experience, her unique background as a native of China, and her legal education and licensure in the People's Republic of China, Ivy advises business entities 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 her final two years of law school, Ivy served as a research assistant to the Vice Dean and a distinguished professor of Property Law. Her dedication and work product were highly regarded, and her contributions were acknowledged in the professors' publications. In her spare time, Ivy enjoys writing Chinese calligraphy, playing the piano, and reading. She is proficient in Mandarin and French.
Representative Matters
- Federal & State Courts
- Represented minority shareholders in a $30 million mixed-use development dispute; successfully moved to compel production of withheld corporate documents.
- Represented a bank in a $20 million construction loan dispute involving multiple parties: instrumental in achieving favorable settlement for client at mediation before jury trial.
- Represented a Chinese manufacturer in product liability and indemnification litigation.
- Represented a property owner and developer in a $9 million construction delay dispute.
- Represented a Chinese partnership in employment-related disputes. Following extensive discovery and multiple depositions, successfully resolved the matter and protected the partnership's reputation, facilitating future fundraising efforts.
- Represented a Chinese-owned company in a dispute arising from a 10-year commercial lease involving multiple related entities. Developed and implemented litigation strategy that led to a global resolution while minimizing public exposure.
- Represented a Chinese national conducting business in the United States in personal bankruptcy proceedings.
- Served as second-chair trial counsel on behalf of a Chinese client regarding commercial lease disputes. Case settled with favorable result.
- Served on the trial team representing multiple Chinese investors in a complex investment dispute. Case settled through mediation and obtained client desired result.
- Represented 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.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Represented an immigrant welfare non-profit organization in conducting internal investigation regarding potential officer’s breach of fiduciary duties and violation of laws.
- Represented a multi-national corporation settling unfair competition and antitrust allegations.
- Represented a national healthcare equipment producer before an arbitration panel and successfully challenged and obtained correction of a prior arbitration award.
- 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.
- Represented a non-financial institution in applying for foreign exchange license in China.
- Represented a national manufacturer in structuring promotion and awards system avoiding antitrust and information privacy violations to potential customers in California and New York.
- Advised a 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.
Education Background
- J.D., Washington University in St. Louis, 2016
- LL.M., Washington University in St. Louis, 2012
- LL.B., China University of Political Science and Law, 2010
- M.B.A., Westcliff University, 2021
- Distinguished Exchange Student, University of Oxford, Oriel College (Oxford, England), 2008
Professional Qualifications
- Bar admission in California (US)
- 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
- Bar admission in P.R. China
Professional Affiliations
- membership of Los Angeles County Bar Association
- membership of Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association
- membership of National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
