Charles Zhan is a partner with Moulis Legal and heads our international trade practice. He is a leading lawyer in our international regulatory and commercial law practice.
Charles’ practice focuses on trade defence and cross-border transactions. He is well versed in advising private and public sector clients. Charles also leads Moulis Legal’s China Business Desk with respect to a broad range of commercial matters including competition, investment, and cross-border disputation and enforcement.
Charles has represented major international companies operating in a range of industries, including in the agricultural, aluminium, automobile, chemical, electrical, glass, mining, paper, renewable energy, and steel sectors. He understands the dynamic trade, investment and business issues concerning Australia and its major trading partners at both the policy and legal levels, with extensive hands-on experience in representing clients across various Asian, African, American and European countries, including acting on behalf of foreign governments in their trade law and policy relationship with Australia.
Charles has assisted clients in a variety of trade defence matters. These include anti-dumping and countervailing investigations and appeals, customs compliance, competition law, cross-border trade dispute, matters involving international investment, commercial transactions, and commercial and judicial review litigations. He has argued cases before the Anti-Dumping Review Panel, the Federal Court, the High Court of Australia, and at the World Trade Organization. Charles’ analytical and problem-solving skills, strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and cross-cultural understanding allow him to provide top quality and highly regarded advice to our clients.
Charles actively engages with the business and legal communities through his regular participation at various local and internationally focused business and industry council events, and has hosted guest lectures and seminars regarding cross-border trade, investment issues, and international business development. He is the Immediate Past Vice-President of the ACT chapter of Australia China Business Council, and is presently the Co-Chair of the
International Trade and Customs Law Committee of the
International Bar Association.
QUALIFICATIONS
Juris Doctor (JD), Australian National University (2011)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Shanghai Maritime University (2005)
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Australian National University
Graduate Diploma in International Economic Law, University of Melbourne
Practising Certificate – Member of Roll of Legal Practitioners of the Australian Capital Territory and the High Court of Australia
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Chambers and Partners Global 2024, 2025, 2026 – Band 3 - International Trade/WTO
Chambers and Partners Global 2023, 2022 and 2021 – Up and Coming - International Trade/WTO
Chambers and Partners Global 2019 and 2020 – Associate to Watch - International Trade/WTO
Best Lawyers – Customs and Excise Law 2023 - 2026
MEMBERSHIPS AND APPOINTMENTS
International Bar Association – Co-Chair, International and Cutsoms Law Committee
Executive Commitee Member, Australia China Business Council, ACT
