David A. Kaufman
Director of Global Strategies
Introduction
David Kaufman is the Director of Global Strategies at Nixon Peabody LLP. In this role, he manages and helps develop strategy for the firm’s International Practice, international offices, and relationships with law firms around the world. David works extensively with clients from the United States doing business around the globe and international clients in the U.S. Last year, David was involved in transactions, cases, and other matters touching almost 140 different countries. He has a long history of doing business in China and has worked with NP’s robust Asia-Pacific practice since its creation. Outside the U.S., NP has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, and London. During his tenure, David has served in a variety of leadership positions at the firm, including supervising the regional business development function and leading sales teams for an array of practice groups/industries. Since March 2020, David has also been coordinating the firm's external, client-facing Coronavirus Response Team. In addition, he co-leads the Retail Industry Sector team for TerraLex, one of the largest global law firm networks covering 164 jurisdictions in 101 countries.
My focus
Relationships. There is nothing more critical to providing effective legal counsel than strong relationships. Therefore, I focus on how our firm relates to our clients, potential clients, business connections and our larger community. I help our attorneys build stronger bonds with our clients and build better bridges to community around us.
Globalization has changed the way lawyers deliver legal services. Our clients demand and should expect seamless service across time zones, borders and languages. I work with our attorneys to deliver those truly global solutions to help our clients succeed, wherever they are doing business.
Looking ahead
Although we are in a period of significant disruption, I truly believe that innovation and cooperation will help clients succeed in the future. I am working with several clients that have had to pivot and develop new approaches to their business models as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This innovation will continue and these innovative approaches will continue to bolster these organizations for years to come. Also, I believe finding ways to partner and work with others will be increasingly important. This cooperation will be global. The scope of international legal work will continue to expand, both in geographic diversity and scope. Truly global lawyers, like we have at NP, will be called upon to manage transactions, disputes, IP and other legal matters that involve multiple markets that are often emerging and may not involve their home geography.
/Insights
- “Don’t ignore local rules in the US when leasing locations,” Retail Compass, Spring 2024 (co-author)
- “Green Tax—Carbon Border Tax,” Mondaq Webinar, June 10, 2021
- “Reality Check on U.S./China Investments,” Silicon Dragon Los Angeles 2018, Pasadena, July 2018
- “Investing in the Relationship: Making Legal Collaboration Work in 2018,” JD Supra, April 30, 2018
In the news
- San Francisco Business Times
Viewpoint: A downtown college campus is still a great idea. Don’t let it die
Nov 27, 2024Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman, also a former chair of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Foundation, contributed this article, advocating to keep planning alive for a college campus in downtown San Francisco.
- San Francisco Business Times
Panelists discuss Taylor Swift, TikTok, and pandas at the Business Times’ China event
May 23, 2024This article covers a recent “New Bridges to and from China” event, sponsored by NP, that included discussion of all things trade, electric vehicle competition and taxes, as well as additional topics from the headlines such as pandas, TikTok and Taylor Swift. David Cheng, chair and managing partner of NP’s China & Asia Pacific practice, served as a panelist, and David Kaufman, director of Global Strategies, moderated the panel discussion.
- The Silicon Valley Podcast
Go global & local with David Kaufman
July 5, 2023Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman joins this episode of the podcast to discuss how NP can help advise US companies looking to do business abroad and likewise for international companies looking to break into the US market.
- San Francisco Business Times
Viewpoint: San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s trip to Israel brought home valuable lessons
June 9, 2023Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman contributed this article, which shares his outlook on lessons learned from a recent trip to Israel with San Francisco Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco-Haifa Sister City Committee. David focuses on the power of connection, the importance of education, and the need to face the realities of environmental changes.
- World Journal
Post-pandemic turmoil between the US and China affects business in the Bay Area
May 26, 2023This article mentions China and Asia-Pacific practice Managing Partner David Cheng and Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman for co-chairing the recent “New Bridges to and from China” forum at NP San Francisco, hosted by NP and the San Francisco Business Times. The article also quotes David Kaufman on how the relationship between the US and China has evolved since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Law Street
Real estate revival
April 12, 2023This article covering the state of the US housing market highlights REAL Messenger’s SPAC merger with Nova Vision Acquisition Corp., mentioning NP for advising REAL Messenger in the deal. The NP deal team was led by China and Asia-Pacific practice Managing Partner David Cheng and Chicago Office Managing Partner David Brown, both of the Corporate practice. The team also included Washington, DC senior counsel Ken Silverberg, Chicago associate Marc Zhang, and Chicago paralegal Astrid McGruder, all of the Corporate practice, as well as Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman.
- The American Lawyer
Deal watch
April 3, 2023This roundup of recent deals across the M&A space mentions NP for representing REAL Messenger in its SPAC merger with Nova Vision Acquisition Corp. to become a publicly traded company. The NP deal team was led by China and Asia-Pacific practice Managing Partner David Cheng and Chicago Office Managing Partner David Brown, both of the Corporate practice. The team also included Washington, DC senior counsel Ken Silverberg, Chicago associate Marc Zhang, and Chicago paralegal Astrid McGruder, all of the Corporate practice, and Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody guides real estate social app in $150 million SPAC merger
March 28, 2023This article mentions NP for advising REAL Messenger in its merger with special purpose acquisition company Nova Vision Acquisition Corp., allowing REAL Messenger to become a publicly traded company. The NP deal team was led by China and Asia-Pacific practice Managing Partner David Cheng and Chicago Office Managing Partner David Brown, both of the Corporate practice. The team also includes Washington, DC senior counsel Ken Silverberg, Chicago associate Marc Zhang, and Chicago paralegal Astrid McGruder, all of the Corporate practice, and Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman.
- San Francisco Business Times
The quest for mutual benefit: The complicated China-U.S. business relationship gets more complicated
This article covers a recent “Bridge from China” event, sponsored by NP, that included discussion of how the pandemic has affected cross-border business, and how to potentially tackle complex nuances of U.S.-China political and business relationships. David Cheng, chair and managing partner of NP’s China & Asia Pacific practice, served as a panelist, and David Kaufman, director of Global Strategies, co-moderated the panel discussion.April 28, 2022 - Rochester Business Journal
Big changes in SBAs EIDL program sparks new interest
Rochester Complex Commercial Disputes associate Eric Ferrante contributed this column highlighting recent changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program that may make it more attractive to businesses on the fence about seeking government relief funds. The article is based on a client alert Eric co-authored with Boston Complex Commercial Disputes partner Morgan Nighan, Chicago Global Finance partner Robert Drobnak, and Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman.Oct 8, 2021 - San Francisco Business Times
After the turbulent Trump years ,what will it take for the U.S. and China to reset their relationship?
This article covers a recent “Bridge from China“ event, sponsored by NP, that included discussion of how the pandemic has affected cross-border business, geopolitical tensions of recent years, and what the administration change could mean for U.S. businesses wanting to do business in China. David Cheng, chair and managing partner of NP’s China & Asia Pacific practice, served as a panelist and David Kaufman, director of Global Strategies, co-moderated the panel discussion.Feb 26, 2021 - Rochester Business Journal
Coronavirus putting crimp on firms doing business in China
Rochester Corporate partner Jeremy Wolk authored this column about how employers with business operations in China are responding to the coronavirus outbreak and related travel restrictions. The article is based on an alert by Hong Kong Corporate partner David Cheng, Los Angeles Labor and Employment partner Benjamin Kim, San Francisco Labor and Employment senior counsel Jeffrey Tanenbaum and associate Rachel Conn, and Director of Global Strategies David KaufmanFeb 21, 2020 - San Francisco Chronicle
From eyeglasses to backpacks, Bay Area firms scramble as coronavirus closes Chinese factories
This article quotes Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman discussing the enormous supply chain impact from the lockdown of manufacturing and high-tech hub Wuhan, China, and its surrounding region.Feb 7, 2020 - China Daily
Decline in Chinese FDI affects industries in US, from tech to real estate to Hollywood
This article quotes Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman on the outlook for cross-border investment between the United States and China, which is likely to include a reduced focus on high tech but new opportunities in tourism, travel and education.July 26, 2019 - Forbes
What trade trouble? China loosens foreign ownership of financial sector one year early
This Forbes article describing China’s efforts to open its market to foreign investors.July 20, 2019 - Forbes
Deal makers in China-Hollywood express concern over impact of trade tensions
Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman is quoted in this article about the impact of U.S.-China trade tensions on Hollywood deals.July 31, 2018 - The Orange County Register
Trade tensions impacting US-China collaboration in entertainment industry
Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman is quoted in this article discussing how the fraught relationship between the U.S. and China is altering the business landscape. “There is tension between the United States and China and that’s really affected the size of the deals that are going on,” he said.July 27, 2018 - Bisnow
Looking ahead to 2017: Bay Area foreign investment and ‘The Trump Effect'
San Francisco M&A and Corporate Transactions partner Jinjian Huang and director of global strategies David Kaufman are mentioned in this article about a roundtable held at the firm’s San Francisco office which covered potential effects the Trump presidency may have on Asian investments in the Bay Area.Nov 23, 2016
Education
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, B.S., Economics
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, M.B.A.
Insights And Happenings
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View AllJeffrey L. Costellia
Partner / Chair, Global Strategies Committee / Co-Lead, International & Foreign Associate Network IP Team- Washington DC
- Office:+1 202.585.8207
- jcostellia@nixonpeabody.com
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David K. Cheng
Partner / Chair and Managing Partner of China/Asia Pacific Practice- Hong Kong
- Office:+852.9307.3900Mobile:Hong Kong/ +852 9307.3900 China/ +86 156.2607.6649 US/ +1 650.387.3948 Singapore/ +65 8669.9309
- dcheng@nixonpeabody.com
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Kendal H. Tyre
Partner, Co-leader, Franchising & Distribution- Washington DC
- Office:+1 202.585.8368
- ktyre@nixonpeabody.com
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