After working at international law firms in Amsterdam (Baker & McKenzie and Dentons/Boekel), Robin moved to Shanghai in 2010 and joined R&P.
By combining his knowledge and understanding of both Western and Chinese legal systems and business environments, he has become an important bridge and beacon of trust for many international clients doing business in China.
He assists predominantly European and Northern American companies with business activities all over China. He has essential experience in the field of Foreign Investment, M&A/Corporate, Employment, Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution.
Robin’s expertise and experience as part of the Employment section (such as compliance investigations, employee fraud and terminations) are recognized by Legal500 (click here), describing him as ‘Robin Tabbers leads by example. His vast knowledge and proven experience show when addressing corruption investigation, business structure, and set up, and employment investigations’ and ‘Robin Tabbers has deep knowledge of Chinese law and is very direct, straight, and fair in his approach. He also gives feedback about clients’ Western way of thinking versus the Chinese legal way’. In its review of the Employment practice, Legal500 praised the firm’s expertise in employment and compliance matters, including “employment aspects of M&A and corporate reorganisations” and “mass terminations and misconduct investigations.” Asialaw emphasized that ‘Tabbers also assists clients with disputes, particularly those involving labour and employment’.
Robin also supports dozens of international retailers and brands with managing their IP portfolios, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
Together with the experienced Chinese litigators of the firm’s dispute resolution team, he advises many clients on the best strategy to resolve their commercial disputes, if needed, via Chinese court or arbitration proceedings.
Robin’s clients include MNCs and SMEs active in the industries of manufacturing, healthcare, industrials, machinery, agriculture/horticulture, consumer goods (retail, e-commerce, distribution), real estate, F&B, sourcing, services (software, IT, creative, AV, care), entertainment (licensing rights, theatre, film, musical, music), social media & APP.
Besides the interest of corporate clients, he also protects the interests of their foreign managers. As part of the Private Client Services group, he has been the confidant of many foreign individuals with their criminal, personal, family, or employment disputes in China.
In addition to presenting and writing on legal and business topics, Robin has been a lecturer of a full curriculum course “Chinese Business Law” at the renowned Donghua University in Shanghai during the past years.
Leading directories Chambers & Partners, Legal500 and Asialaw, have all recommended or recognized his expertise for Corporate/M&A and Employment in the years 2012-2022.
He graduated from Tilburg Law School (Tilburg University), where he obtained an LL.M. degree in International Business Law. He is fluent in English and Dutch, and always working to improve his Chinese (Mandarin).
Corporate
Employment & Restructuring
IP
Litigation & Arbitration
