• Law School, Peking University, LL.B., 1982
• Université de Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne), DEA, 1984

• Independent Arbitrator, Arbitration Chambers (2020 – Present)
• Managing Partner, Dechert LLP, Beijing (2011 – 2020)
• Partner, Jones Day LLP (2007 – 2011)
• Managing Partner, DLA Piper Global Law Firm, Beijing (2005 – 2007)
• Managing Partner and International Executive Committee Member, Coudert Brothers LLP, China (1991 – 2005)
• Associate, Jeantet & Associés, Paris and Brussels (1985 – 1991)

Mr. Tao has sat in over 200 arbitrations, the majority as sole or presiding arbitrator, in both civil and common law disputes. The Legal 500 Asia, Chambers Global and Chambers Asia-Pacific have consistently recognized Mr. Tao as a leading dispute resolution lawyer in China, one of the “Most in Demand Arbitrators” in the Asia-Pacific region, who “really bridges the divide between Western and Eastern views,” “a respected name on the arbitration scene” and “very well regarded for his activity in the international arbitration arena”, and “one of the best arbitration practitioners in the region.”

“Top 10 Lawyers” of One Belt and Road Award in 2018, Legal Daily, Beijing

• Arbitrator of American Arbitration Association
• Arbitrator of Asian International Arbitration Centre, Kuala Lumpur
• Arbitrator of CAA International Arbitration Centre, Taiwan
• Arbitrator of Court of Arbitration for Sport
• Arbitrator of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
• Arbitrator of Japan Commercial Arbitration Association
• Arbitrator of Korean Commercial Arbitration Board International
• Arbitrator of Singapore International Arbitration Centre
• Arbitrator of Vienna International Arbitral Centre
• Arbitrator of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission
• Arbitrator of China Maritime Arbitration Commission
• Arbitrator of Harbin Arbitration Commission
• Arbitrator of Hangzhou International Arbitration Commission
• Arbitrator of Hainan International Arbitration Court
• Arbitrator of Hubei Arbitration Commission
• Arbitrator of Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission
• Arbitrator of Shenzhen International Arbitration Centre

Books

• Arbitration Law and Practice in China (Kluwer Law International, 3rd ed., 2012, 384 pages)
• Mergers and Acquisitions in China (with Owen Nee) (Thomson Reuters, 5th ed., 2012, 644 pages)
• Resolving Business Disputes in China (Kluwer Law International, 2005, 828 pages)
• Non-Tariff Trade Barriers in China (Sweet & Maxwell, 2003, 358 pages) (with Diarmuid O'Brien)
• Droit Chinois des Affaires (Economica, 1999, 394 pages)
• Le Droit Chinois Contemporain (Collection Que sais-je?) (Presses Universitaires de France, 1991, 128 pages)
• Le Commerce avec la China, recueil de textes (FEDUCI – LGDJ, 1987, 268 pages)

Current Positions in Arbitration and Business Related Institutions

• Member of the Board of Directors of Hainan International Arbitration Court
• Member of the Board of Directors of Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration
• Member of the Advisory Council of the Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy
• Member of the Editorial Board of Global Arbitration Review, London
• Member of the International Advisory Board of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong
• Member of the Expert Committee for the Chinese International Commercial Court of the Chinese Supreme People’s Court

Current Academic Positions

• Adjunct Professor of Georgetown University
• Adjunct Professor of Peking University Law School
• Adjunct Professor of Tsinghua University School of Law
• Visiting Professor of China National Lawyers College
• Advisory Board of Swiss International Law School, Basel

Previous Positions in Arbitration and Business Related Institutions

• Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration (1999-2018)
• Member of LCIA Arbitration Court
• Co-chair of Asia-Pacific Forum of International Bar Association
• Vice-chair of Arbitration Committee of International Bar Association
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Lecture at University of Paris X Nanterre
• Lecture at Institut de Droit Comparé, Université de Paris II  

• English (working language)
• French (working language)
• Mandarin (native language)

French