Short Biography              

Dr Leo Zhixiong Liao graduated from Renmin University of China (RUC) with degrees of Bachelor of Economics, Master of Laws, and Doctor of Laws. He also completed his Bachelor of Laws, Master of Professional Studies (with First Class Honours in Translation), and Master of Laws (with First Class Honours in Commercial Law) at University of Auckland.

Dr Liao has practised as a lawyer in China, both in public sectors and in private law firms, since 1996, specialised in commercial law, overseas investment law and tax law, with some Hong Kong listed companies, Fortune-500 subsidiaries and local tax departments as his clients. He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and practised commercial law and property law in Auckland law firms before joining the Te Piringa - Faculty of Law in January 2012. Dr Liao is also a member of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters, specialised in legal translation.

In addition to his legal practice experience, Dr Liao has also the experience as a lecturer in law, a Vice General Manager of a state-owned company, an Independent Non-Executive Director of a Hong Kong listed company, and Directors-in-chief of a government-funded Legal Service Centre and a local government office in charge of overseas investment in China.

Closely related to his legal practice, Dr Liao's main research interests are contract law, laws on commercial transactions, overseas investment regulation, international sales and finance law, and tax law.