Gary Zhao

Business litigation partner

Greater Chicago Area

About

Gary represents clients in high-stake and complex business litigation matters nationwide. A partner in SmithAmundsen LLC’s commercial litigation group, Gary has secured victories for his client in cases involving breach of contract, intellectual property, false advertising, unfair competition, business fraud and other disputes. Gary also has significant experience defending clients who are subject to regulatory investigations undertaken by various state and federal government agencies. He is a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese. His understanding of the Chinese language and culture, coupled with his legal expertise, allows him to serve as outside general counsel to several publicly traded Chinese companies and their subsidiaries in America. He is the immediate past President of the Chinese American Bar Association and is a recipient of the Presidential Leadership Award from the organization. Gary was recently honored by NAPABA as one of 14 Best Lawyers under 40 in 2015. Gary is a past board member of AABA Chicago and received its Member of the Year Award in 2010. He was recognized as one of 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Gary has co-chaired the NAPABA litigation committee since 2011. He has been selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list for the last five years.

Experience

  • Partner at Amundsen Davis LLC
    Apr 2004 - Present · 22 yrs 4 mos

  • Past President at Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago
    Jul 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 1 mo

  • Past President at Chinese American Bar Association of Greater Chicago
    Mar 2012 - Aug 2015 · 3 yrs 6 mos

    CABA strives not only to meet the professional networking and development needs of our members, but to use our resources and expertise to serve the public interest through legal clinics and other educational and public service programs.

  • Law Clerk at Illinois appellate court-Justice Mary McDade
    Jul 2002 - Apr 2004 · 1 yr 10 mos

    Judicial Clerkship