Photo of Eric Carlson

Eric Carlson

Eric Carlson has nearly two decades of experience advising clients operating in China and other jurisdictions in Asia on compliance and investigations matters, particularly in the areas of corruption/FCPA/fraud and export controls/sanctions.

Having lived in China for more than a decade, he has deep experience leading highly sensitive investigations in China and other jurisdictions in Asia, including investigations presenting complex legal, political, and reputational risks. He speaks Mandarin and Cantonese and has led more than four hundred witness interviews in Chinese in 24 provinces in China, and conducted dozens of trainings in Chinese. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Eric also counsels clients on the compliance risks of proposed transactions, conducts compliance due diligence as part of mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures, assists companies in updating and strengthening their internal compliance programs and tailoring them to the unique features of Asian markets, and developing and presenting tailored compliance training in Chinese and English. Eric has advised scores of companies and organizations representing nearly every major industry.

Eric is a regular speaker on China-related compliance issues. He has been quoted in publications such as 

The Wall Street Journal

The Economist, The Financial Times, Global Investigations Review, Compliance Week, FCPA Report, The Corporate Treasurer, Commercial Dispute Resolution, China Business Law Journal, 

and 

Economy and Nation Weekly

and

was a contributing editor to the

 FCPA Blog.

 

Chambers notes that Eric has “much more than just a conversational grasp of the language, but the ability to conduct interviews on specific subject matter details and get to the root of the issues." Chambers further notes that "his language skills are very impressive" and that he provides "great advice that is grounded in reality," adding: "They know the industry and their advice is very risk-based and balanced." One client noted to Chambers: "They have strong regional coverage both in terms of footprint as well as language skills. If I have a compliance investigation in region with a tight timeframe, I know they can get it done. They take a more realistic approach to scoping investigations." Other clients noted to Chambers that Eric is "really brilliant" and "an expert in this field." According to one client surveyed by Chambers, "he is particularly adept at 'right sizing' the scope of an investigation to get at the key issues without incurring unnecessary operational or financial burden. He is also incredibly responsive to client communications."

China’s principal internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”), announced this week that China will move forward new legislation to combat the improper collection, use, and sale of personal information. The new legislation, announced during an interview of a senior CAC official by state-owned Xinhua News, is reportedly being
Continue Reading China’s Internet Gatekeeper Announces Legislation to Enhance Personal Information Protection

New consumer protection provisions that clarify how companies may collect, use, and protect personal information of consumers will come into effect in China on March 15, 2015.

On January 5, 2015, China’s State Administration of Industry and Commerce (“SAIC”) issued measures to implement China’s Consumer Rights Protection Law (“CRPL”), which was amended effective March 2014 to include, among other things, provisions on the protection of personal information of consumers and administrative penalties for the misuse of personal information.   The newly promulgated measures, entitled Measures on Penalties for Infringing Upon the Rights and Interests of Consumers (“CRPL Penalty Measures”; Covington’s translation is available here) flesh out the CRPL by addressing a range of consumer protection issues.  From a privacy perspective, the CRPL Penalty Measures (1) clarify the definition of “personal information of consumers,” (2) provide more detail on the CRPL’s requirements for the collection, use, and protection of consumer personal information, and (3) provide for significant penalties for violations.  The CRPL Penalty Measures take effect on March 15, 2015, China’s Consumer Protection Day.
Continue Reading China Clarifies Requirements for Companies Regarding Consumers’ Personal Information