Overview
Wilson (Di) Zhao focuses his practice on sanctions, import/export controls, and anti-bribery compliance and investigations . He has experience assisting clients in a variety of sectors, ranging from e-commerce, manufacturing, banking, and insurance. Utilizing his in-house and PRC governmental experience, he is able to help clients design and implement practical compliance programs, particularly when facing conflicting obligations. Wilson also advises clients on various national security related investment controls including Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and information and communications technology services (ICTS) rules.
Prior to joining Steptoe, Wilson served as trade compliance counsel and legal advisor for Alibaba, the leading Chinese e-commerce company. He began his practice at a leading Chinese law firm as an associate. He also worked as a senior customs officer in Zhoushan, China for more than four years.
- New York
- Chinese National Bar (non-practicing)
- Registered Foreign Lawyer, Hong Kong
- LL.M., New York University School of Law, 2020
- B.L., China University of Political Science and Law, 2011
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
- Provide ongoing legal and compliance advice concerning the application of US sanctions and export controls to the global operations of a Chinese state-owned telecommunications company.
- Representation of a major international social media company on all matters related to international sanctions, including sanctions against Russia.
- Advise one of the largest SOEs on matters related to international sanctions, including US sanctions against Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
- Representation of Chinese companies in the biotechnology, information technology, radio technology, and digital solutions industries before BIS, OFAC, DOJ, and other government agencies in their effort to be removed from the BIS Entity List and to prevent additional listings by other agencies.
- Representation of an Asia-based global oil and gas trading company in relation to a multi-agency sanctions-related investigation by DOJ, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the FBI.
- Advise the investment teams of Mainland and Hong Kong subsidiaries of major investment banks on IPO transactions where the issuer was either subject to US sanctions or export controls or had business dealings with such entities.
News & Publications
Stepwise Risk Outlook
Sanctions Update: May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
By: Evan T. Abrams, Meredith Rathbone, Guy Soussan, Alexandra Melia, Darryl Nirenberg, Wendy Wysong, Ali Burney, Quentin Johnson, Elli Zachari, Elliot Letts, Melissa B. Mahle, Anni Coonan, Thomas Goldstein, Zayna Dembinski, Wilson Zhao, Zoey Hong, Sophia Yang, Jonathan Eaton
International Compliance Blog
Treasury Department Announces CFIUS "Fast Track" Pilot Program for Foreign Investors
May 19, 2025
By: Steptoe's National Security & Cross-Border Transactions Practice
International Compliance Blog
Weekly Sanctions Update: May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
By: Evan T. Abrams, Meredith Rathbone, Guy Soussan, Alexandra Melia, Darryl Nirenberg, Wendy Wysong, Ali Burney, Quentin Johnson, Elli Zachari, Elliot Letts, Melissa B. Mahle, Anni Coonan, Thomas Goldstein, Zayna Dembinski, Wilson Zhao, Zoey Hong, Sophia Yang, Jonathan Eaton
Stepwise Risk Outlook
Sanctions Update: May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
By: Evan T. Abrams, Meredith Rathbone, Karl Hopkins, Guy Soussan, Alexandra Melia, Darryl Nirenberg, Wendy Wysong, Ali Burney, Quentin Johnson, Elli Zachari, Elliot Letts, Melissa B. Mahle, Anni Coonan, Thomas Goldstein, Zayna Dembinski, Wilson Zhao, Zoey Hong, Hoi Chung Liu, Jonathan Eaton
International Compliance Blog
Weekly Sanctions Update: May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
By: Evan T. Abrams, Meredith Rathbone, Karl Hopkins, Guy Soussan, Alexandra Melia, Darryl Nirenberg, Wendy Wysong, Ali Burney, Quentin Johnson, Elli Zachari, Elliot Letts, Melissa B. Mahle, Anni Coonan, Thomas Goldstein, Zayna Dembinski, Wilson Zhao, Zoey Hong, Hoi Chung Liu, Jonathan Eaton
Stepwise Risk Outlook
May 5, 2025
By: Evan T. Abrams, Meredith Rathbone, Karl Hopkins, Guy Soussan, Alexandra Melia, Darryl Nirenberg, Wendy Wysong, Ali Burney, Quentin Johnson, Elli Zachari, Elliot Letts, Melissa B. Mahle, Anni Coonan, Thomas Goldstein, Zayna Dembinski, Wilson Zhao, Zoey Hong, Isabella Rao, Jonathan Eaton
International Compliance Blog
Weekly Sanctions Update: May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
By: Evan T. Abrams, Meredith Rathbone, Karl Hopkins, Guy Soussan, Alexandra Melia, Darryl Nirenberg, Wendy Wysong, Ali Burney, Quentin Johnson, Elli Zachari, Elliot Letts, Melissa B. Mahle, Anni Coonan, Thomas Goldstein, Zayna Dembinski, Wilson Zhao, Zoey Hong, Isabella Rao, Jonathan Eaton
Stepwise Risk Outlook
Sanctions Update: April 28, 2025
April 28, 2025
By: Evan T. Abrams, Meredith Rathbone, Karl Hopkins, Guy Soussan, Alexandra Melia, Darryl Nirenberg, Wendy Wysong, Ali Burney, Quentin Johnson, Elli Zachari, Elliot Letts, Melissa B. Mahle, Anni Coonan, Thomas Goldstein, Zayna Dembinski, Wilson Zhao, Zoey Hong, Hoi Chung Liu, Jonathan Eaton
International Compliance Blog
Weekly Sanctions Update: April 28, 2025
April 28, 2025
By: Evan T. Abrams, Meredith Rathbone, Karl Hopkins, Guy Soussan, Alexandra Melia, Darryl Nirenberg, Wendy Wysong, Ali Burney, Quentin Johnson, Elli Zachari, Elliot Letts, Melissa B. Mahle, Anni Coonan, Thomas Goldstein, Zayna Dembinski, Wilson Zhao, Zoey Hong, Hoi Chung Liu, Jonathan Eaton
Resources
Client Alerts
FCPA/Anti-Corruption Developments: 2021 Year in Review
February 15, 2022
By: Iris E. Bennett, Brigida Benitez, Zoe Osborne, Wendy Wysong, Samantha McCarthy, James M. Purce, Lin Yang, Bo Yue, Wilson Zhao, Joshua Dupre (law clerk), Zhaoxi Zhang (international paralegal)
Events
Seminars & Events
Global Trade and Enforcement Symposium in Hong Kong
June 1, 2023
Speakers: Renato Antonini, Yongqing Bao, Brigida Benitez, Brian G. Burke, Ali Burney, Henry Cao, John Caracappa, Boyd Cloern, Robyn C. Crowther, Brian J. Fleming, Coy Garrison, Zoey Hong, Stanley C. Kuo, Amy J. Lentz, Michelle L. Levin, Patrick F. Linehan, Jamie Lucia, Alexandra Melia, Cáitrín McKiernan, Eva Monard, Darryl Nirenberg, Gwendolyn Prothro Renigar, Angus Rodger, Guy Soussan, David M. Stetson, Grace Wang, Philip R. West, Charles Whiddington, Wendy Wysong, Lin Yang, Bo Yue, Wilson Zhao