Gary Zhao

Partner
Gary Zhao, Amundsen Davis LLC Photo

Overview

Gary is an accomplished litigator. He represents clients in high-stake and complex business litigation matters nationwide. A partner in the firm's Business Litigation Service Group, Gary has secured victories for his clients in cases involving breach of contract, intellectual property, false advertising, unfair competition, business fraud and other shareholder disputes. Gary also has significant experience defending clients who are subject to regulatory investigations undertaken by various state and federal government agencies, including, but not limited to, the US Department of Justice, Antitrust Division.

Gary grew up in China and is a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese. His understanding of the Chinese language and culture, coupled with his legal knowledge, allows him to serve as outside general counsel to several publicly traded and privately held Chinese companies and their subsidiaries in America.

Gary served as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). He is a past president of the both the Chinese American Bar Association and the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago. He was previously a co-chair of Amundsen Davis’s Committee for Diversity and Inclusion and, in that role, was tasked with furthering diversity initiatives for the firm to help ensure that all employees feel appreciated for the diverse perspectives they bring to the table.

Experience

Membership & Involvement

  • Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago: President 2019, President Elect 2018
  • Past President: Chinese American Bar Association (CABA) of Greater Chicago 2012 - 2015
  • Fellow: American Bar Foundation, inducted 2014
  • Past Vice President and General Counsel: Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Chicago, Pan- Asian Advocacy Organization
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA): Co-Chair, Litigation Committee, 2011-2016; At-Large Board of Governors, 2016-2018; Elected Treasurer, 2018-2019;
  • Ambassador: American Bar Association’s Business Law Section 2010 to 2012 (now Business Law Fellows)

Honors

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated
  • Selected to Crain’s Chicago Business’s Notable Litigators and Trial Attorneys: 2023
  • Selected as Asian American Bar Association Member of the Year: 2010
  • Received the Excellence in Civic Service Award from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County: 2021
  • Received the Vanguard Award from the Chicago Bar Association: 2018
  • Awarded the Presidential Leadership Award by The Chinese American Bar Association: 2015
  • Received the Excellence in Law Award from the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA): 2015
  • Selected to "Best Under 40" by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association: 2015
  • Recognized as "40 Illinois Attorney Under 40 to Watch" by the Law Bulletin: 2011
  • Selected to "Best Under 40" by Suburban Life Media: 2015
  • Selected to State Farm’s Rising Star Academy: 2020 - 2021
  • Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers list: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
  • Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" list: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Resources & Insights

Speaking Engagements

Firm News

Education

Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, J.D., 2002

University of Michigan, B.A., 1999

Admissions

  • Illinois
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