Merits & Tree Law Offices was initially established in 2006 under the name Beijing Hawkhigh Law Offices until it was renamed in 2017. It has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Haikou, with a Wuhan office now in the phase of establishment. The firm now has more than 80 partners and 300 lawyers and other professionals.
Focusses / specialisms
It is a relatively young law firm in China but continues to develop rapidly. The firm’s strength is in handling private equity and investment funds mandates.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include China Pengfei Group, Wuxi Shangji Automation, China National Nuclear Corporation, SanNuo Biosensor, China Pacific Insurance, Sequoia Capital, IDG Capital, CITIC Capital, Gaorong Capital, Tencent and Xiaomi.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
During the research cycle, the firm has been active in private equity, capital markets, and restructuring and insolvency areas.
In the private equity space, the firm was very active in private acquisitions and financial investments and advised both investors and target companies in different industries, such as life sciences, TMT, advanced manufacturing, energy and chemical, new economy, entertainment, education, retail and real estate. The firm has also strengthened its services relationship with Shunwei Capital and Qiming Venture Partners.
In capital markets, the firm kept busy with domestic and overseas IPOs, share offerings, private placement of shares, securitizations and convertible corporate bonds, often advising administrators and issuers.
Last year, the firm’s private equity team hired partners Songsong Gao from Dentons China, Junyi Li from Dahui Lawyers, Yunyun Tang from Haiwen & Partners, Zeyu Li from Zhong Lun Law Firm, Yan Zheng from T&C Law Firm and Hu Bo from AnJie Broad Law.
The firm expanded its capital markets team by hiring Jiayi Pang from Grandall Law Firm, Xiu Peng from Grandway Law Offices, Yinan Fan from Hai Run Law Firm and Shujuan Wang from King & Wood Mallesons.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Sironax’s $200 million Series B financing.
GenFleet’s Rmb500 million Series C financing.
Wenzhou Yuanfei Pet Toy Products’ Rmb468 million IPO.
Changzhou Shichuang Energy’s SSE STAR Market IPO.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Private equity
“Zhou Feng from the firm is professional, efficient, pragmatic and can think from the client’s point of view, which is very trustworthy.”
“Professional, efficient and prompt.”
Financial restructuring
“Professional and efficient. Good at cross-industry work.”
Lawyer feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Feng Zhou
“Precise grasp of client needs and deep understanding of the operation of existing equity investment funds.”
“Professional, efficient and prompt.”
Youyuan Jin
“Very professional, humble and full of positive energy.”
