Staff
Frank Caruso
Frank is an international lawyer specializing in corporate and business matters. He is based in Shenzhen, China and was admitted to the bar of the State of Maryland in the United States in 1995. He has practiced corporate law for more than 16 years, with the past 9 in China, Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific.
He advises multi-national corporations on doing business in China and Asia-Pacific and handles general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, contracts, compliance and labor and employment law. He also advises on tax strategies as part of establishing corporations in the region.
Frank is experienced in Chinese and Hong Kong law and often lectures on law at local universities. He is the legal advisor and on the board of Directors of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shenzhen and is an advisory member of several SME’s in China.
Frank is also an advisor on law and trade to several provincial governments in China and to Chinese companies like Huawei Technology Corporation, which is the largest privately owned technology company in China. Frank was also a special advisor to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
In Frank’s 16 years as a lawyer, he has worked with companies such as: Microsoft, Intel, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks, Alcatel, AT&T, Verizon and many others. He has also done extensive work with U.S. and foreign governments and has negotiated some of the largest technology related contracts. He is the founder and principal of Caruso and Associates, Ltd., a Shenzhen based business consultancy where he provides counsel to foreign and Chinese companies. Frank earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and a Juris Doctorate from the Quinnipiac University School of Law. He is also a former officer in the United States Marine Corps.
Jordan Dotson
Jordan is a serial entrepreneur, journalist, author, educator, web geek and public speaker who enjoys probing the boundaries of cross-culturalism in China. After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2005 with dual degrees in Economics and Creative Writing, he immediately moved to Shenzhen, China where he’s made a profound impact on the city’s education, advertising and art scenes.
As the Managing Director of Dotson & Associates Consulting, Jordan advises international firms on successful entry into domestic Chinese markets, creates cutting-edge online marketing solutions for international firms with a China focus, and develops ties between educational institutions in China and abroad. His Education Services Division continues to be one of the most successful and well-respected international college prep training programs in all of China.
Jordan served as a social-media consultant at NASDAQ-listed international trade media giant Global Sources, Sr. Consultant at the Shenzhen International Business Center, and maintains advisory positions with multiple retail and IT firms in Shenzhen. He’s been a featured lecturer at Beijing University, Guangzhou University of Foreign Studies, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen University, and Shenzhen Foreign Language School. Jordan is also a featured columnist for the Shenzhen Daily newspaper.
At Caruso & Associates, Jordan advises international firms making their first foray into the Pearl River Delta and Greater China markets.
KC Choi
KC Choi brings decades of experience in international trade and politics to his role as Director of Legal Liaison at Caruso & Associates. After immigrating to the USA from Korea in 1970, Choi served in the US Army under Generals Vessey, Stilwell, and Wickom. From 1974 to 1980, he managed VIP functions under 8th Army Command.
Choi received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland. While on active duty in the US army, he completed further studies in economics at Michigan State University. After moving to the private sector, Choi became the first native-born Korean to serve as General Manager for a major American hotel chain, Tollman and Huntley, in 1981.
Choi has served as a senior executive for various enterprises in the digital display, green lighting, and semi-conductor super-LED industries. Since 2002, he’s served as President of Green Lighting Displays in California and CEO of ALTA LED Korea.
At Caruso & Associates, Mr. Choi facilitates international legal advisory throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He is completely fluent in both Korean and English.
Adam Bedzow
Adam recently finished his first-year at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City and is highly proficient in both spoken and written Mandarin.
After earning a degree in Political Science at the University of Maryland, Adam moved to China believing it held the key to accessing and ultimately understanding the new direction international economics and politics was headed in the near future. For almost a year and a half prior to beginning law school, Adam lived in Shanghai learning Mandarin at East China Normal University (ECNU). In his final semester at ECNU, Adam was one of two Mandarin students selected to volunteer as translators for the local Putuo District Government. Additionally while in Shanghai, Adam studied at the Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE), focusing on both legal and cultural issues affecting the foreign business community in China.
During his first year in law school, Adam has continued to seek out opportunities to combine his interest in the law and China. For example, he was selected to participate in a legal seminar in China this past January as well as audited a class on Chinese Law and Legal Systems put on by the Asian Society at New York University School of Law.
Adam has received an International Corporate Law fellowship from his law school and is currently a legal associate at Caruso & Associates.
Geoffrey Taylor
The appointment of Geoff Taylor to head up our Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment division is a real advantage for our firm. Geoff’s 20 years of knowledge in all facets of property development, sales, marketing and financing, is a great asset for our clients.
Geoff comes from a family of property developers, making Geoff the third generation to specialize in this field. Originally from the building industry, Geoff ventured into property development with one of the largest condominium developers in Australia – The Dainford Group. During this time he worked in Australasia and executed numerous real estate transactions throughout the region.
With a wealth of property and finance knowledge Geoff created his own Real Estate Group in the 1990’s, based in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia where he worked closely with a number of multi-national companies and compiled one of the most extensive and impressive database of customers. Geoff has a reputation within the real estate industry as a man of integrity and vision, and is also known as a “problem solver.” When people work with Geoff, they sense his passion and enthusiasm, and become just as equally passionate about the projects he works on. Geoff is also an avid sailor and surfer.
Beck Salander
After graduating from Franklin and Marshall College with a double major in Economics and Business, Beck spent a year working as a fund accountant for JPMorgan Chase in Boston. He first moved to Asia in 2009, spending a year in Bangkok before being drawn to China for its growth and opportunities. Beck came to Shenzhen in 2010 working as a management analyst for a large private American firm. There he specialized in due diligence analysis of processes and proposals affecting the Chinese office, advising on resource allocation and departmental structures. At Caruso & Associates, Beck specializes in advising our clients on what corporate structure can best accommodate their needs regarding international taxes, debt instruments, and asset protection.
Victoria Li
Victoria joined Caruso & Associates after earning dual bachelor’s degrees in English and French from Shenzhen University. She brings a wealth of practical experience in commercial translation and intercultural matters to Caruso & Associates’ advisory services. Victoria’s continuing post-graduate education and extensive international experience guarantees a bright future in the Asia-Pacific legal field.
Melody Bao
Melody is a postgraduate student at Shenzhen University with a major in International Law. She is currently writing her thesis and studying for the Chinese Bar Examination. She has an undergraduate degree in English from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies where she graduated with honors. Prior to her graduate studies, she worked in international trade, where she served as a director of customer relations. Melody’s extensive experience in trade and market entry issues in China, along with her excellent command of the English language enables her to advise the Partners and clients of the firm on numerous issues.
Cynthia Li
Cynthia is a current undergraduate student at China’s prestigious Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), where she majors in Law with a minor in International Economics and Trade.
At SYSU, Cynthia has proven herself to be a fully developed inter-disciplinary talent. Her experiences include myriad moot court competition honors, Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales’ (AIESEC), the Entrepreneur Association of SYSU, Public Relations Association, Youth Association Of Science & Technology, not to mention extensive work with the SYSU Legal Clinic. After completing her undergraduate degree, Cynthia will earn her J.D. in the United States while continuing her work with Caruso & Associates during holidays.
Li Pengyuan (Haili)
A former high school English and literature teacher, Ms. Li (Haili) received her degree in English Education from Gannan Normal University in 2006. Her strong awareness of cultural differences makes her a tremendous asset in building international connections. She speaks fluent English and multiple Chinese dialects, handling an array of logistical and technical issues for Caruso & Associates’ domestic Chinese and international clients.
For more information about the Caruso & Associates team, contact us at info@caruso-associates.com
