It was announced this week via a press release that the law firm of DLA Piper
“Cedric will play a leadership role in the continued expansion of our global platform, of which cross-border litigation and international arbitration are integral components,” said Jay Rains, co-chairman of DLA Piper. “We also anticipate that he will be a significant asset in growing our Asia-Pacific practice.”
Robert Mathias, the joint global leader and U.S. chair of DLA Piper’s Litigation Practice, said, “Cedric is a leading trial lawyer on the West Coast, with a rare combination of significant jury trial experience and an insider’s knowledge of the rarefied world of international arbitration. He will strengthen our capabilities within the globalized business environment, where clients are increasingly facing potential legal liabilities and financial and reputational risk.”
Right now, Chao is the U.S. representative to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and is one of 31 Advisers to the American Law Institute project to draft the Restatement of the U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration.
“With a practice that spans sectors and continents, Cedric will be a key figure as we continue to integrate our US and Asia-Pacific practices and client bases,” said Stephen Cowan, managing partner of DLA Piper’s San Francisco office. “He will provide immediate depth to our Northern California litigation practice and we look forward to his contributions.”
Chao earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Stanford University. He previously worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in San Francisco. He also held a clerkship with U.S. District Judge William Orrick in San Francisco. Chao is listed in the Best Lawyers in America and is ranked in Chambers Global and Chambers USA for international arbitration.