Jackson C. Pai

Overview

Jackson Pai is a senior counsel in the International Trade Group in the firm’s Los Angeles office. His practice covers a range of international and trade issues, including international corporate transactions, global mobility and employment, customs, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the World Trade Organization.

He conducts due diligence of Chinese entities in connection with corporate mergers and acquisitions, and supports litigation and arbitration between U.S. and Chinese companies. Additionally, Jackson works with corporate entities and supply chains to help companies establish new investments into Asia, particularly China and Taiwan. He also advises companies on continuing obligations in employment and corporate contexts.

As part of his practice, Jackson trains local employees of multinational companies in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong on compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and corporate code of conduct in Mandarin Chinese and in English.

Jackson served as the first legal advisor to the delegation of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu to the WTO in Geneva from 2002 until 2006. In that capacity, he participated in more than 20 WTO disputes and the Doha Round negotiations.

Prior to entering private practice, he worked in Washington, D.C., assisting dairy farmers, farm associations, and businesses on agricultural trade policy issues in front of Congress. During law school, he clerked for the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C. and New York City and interned for a summer at the State Department.

Career & Education

College of William & Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law, J.D., 2000
Georgetown University, B.S.F.S., 1997
- College of William & Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law, J.D., 2000
- Georgetown University, B.S.F.S., 1997
California
New York
U.S. Court of International Trade
- California
- New York
- U.S. Court of International Trade
Law Clerk, American Civil Liberties Union
- Law Clerk, American Civil Liberties Union
Professional Activities and Memberships

Member, Law360 International Trade Editorial Board, 2025–Present

Vice Chair for Communications, Northeast Asia, Japan & Korea Committee of the ABA International Law Section, 2025–Present

Chair, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues Network (GIN) Committee of the ABA International Law Section, 2023–Present

Member, Pro Bono Advisory Council, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California
Professional Activities and Memberships
- Member, Law360 International Trade Editorial Board, 2025–Present
- Vice Chair for Communications, Northeast Asia, Japan & Korea Committee of the ABA International Law Section, 2025–Present
- Chair, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues Network (GIN) Committee of the ABA International Law Section, 2023–Present
- Member, Pro Bono Advisory Council, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California
Mandarin
Taiwanese
- Mandarin
- Taiwanese

Jackson's Insights

Speaking Engagement | 04.30.25

"Global Outsourcing Strategies: Managing Legal and Operational Risks of Offshore Workers & Services," ABA 2025 ILS Annual Conference

Event | 04.28.25 - 05.01.25
ABA 2025 ILS Annual Conference
Press Coverage | 03.19.25
Law360 Announces The Members Of Its 2025 Editorial Boards
Firm News | 9 min read | 01.02.25
Crowell & Moring Elects 12 New Partners, Promotes Four to Senior Counsel and 25 to Counsel

View All Insights

Representative Matters

Advised a U.S. cosmetics brand on all aspects of market entry into China, including regulatory requirements, corporate structure, distribution options, joint venture agreement, trademark licensing, and related agreements, employment, and anti-corruption.
Advised a major multinational consumer products company on global mobility, expatriate secondment, and global employment strategies for Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions.
Advised clients on multi-jurisdiction employee transitions in the context of global outsourcing, M&A, and corporate restructuring.
Conducted an investigation of possible acts of bribery and irregularities in accounting records subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices on behalf of the audit committee of a publicly traded global real estate company.
Assisted in the investigation of Chinese employees for potential ethical and criminal violations arising from whistleblower allegations.
Negotiated various agreements on behalf of multiple U.S. retailers on their initial entry into China, including management services, distribution, logistics, suppliers, and other vendors.
Advised divisions of a major U.S. industrial process and technology company on U.S. Customs import compliance, including NAFTA/FTA, rules of origin, tariff classification, valuation, and prior disclosure.