Caroline Cao

Partner

Caroline.Cao@lewisbrisbois.com

Caroline Cao is a partner in the Sacramento office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Corporate, Chinese Business and Litigation, and Real Estate & Land Use Practices. Ms. Cao is a transactional attorney with over 15 years of experience, with a particular focus on securities & corporate finance, cross-border transactions, and real estate. Her clients range from small startups to public multinational companies, in diverse industries including technology, pharmaceutical and commercial real estate.

Corporate and Business Practices 

Ms. Cao has advised private and public companies in a variety of legal matters, including corporate formation and governance, securities, mergers & acquisitions, IPOs, private placements, and joint ventures. Ms. Cao is also recognized for her significant experience in assisting China-based companies with U.S. subsidiaries compliance, investments, financing, international licensing, and strategic partnerships. 

Real Estate 

Ms. Cao has extensive experience in advising real estate developers or owners on entitlements, leasing, construction loans, mortgages, property management, and purchase and sales. Ms. Cao’s experience includes advising on ground-up construction of hotel, residential and mixed-use development projects across the country. 

With her bilingual skills and deep experience in international business law, Ms. Cao is well positioned to be a trusted advisor to her clients in solving complex and challenging problems to facilitate business growth and global expansion. 

Ms. Cao is fluent in Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese, in addition to English.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Corporate
  • Real Estate & Land Use
  • Chinese Business & Litigation
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • SEC Enforcement & Litigation

Additional Experience

Associations

  • State Bar of California
  • State Bar of New York 
  • Chinese American Lawyers of the Bay Area

Professional Presentations

  • Doing Business in and with Emerging Markets ( Practicing Law Institute, June 9, 2021)

Education

China University of Political Science and Law

LL.B (J.D. equivalent), 2004

  • Graduated with Honor of Dean's List

University of Wisconsin Law School

LL.M, 2005 

  • Awarded with Merit Scholarship

University of Oxford

2003 

  • Certificate, European Competition Law 

Publications