China

JunHe is a top-tier firm in transactional law in China. Headquartered in Beijing, JunHe also has offices in cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Qingdao.

Focusses / specialisms

It is highly regarded for its banking and finance, capital markets, M&A and investment funds work.

Key clients

Key clients include 58.com, Industrial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Blackstone, Bank of China, DCIG, Bank of Communications, HSBC China, CMBS and JPMorgan.

Research period review: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

During the research cycle, the firm’s capital markets team assisted Industrial Bank (Hong Kong) in issuing $650 million of green bonds, which needed to be aligned with China-EU Common Ground Taxonomy. The bonds will support renewable energy, low carbon and low emission transportation-related projects. In addition, the team assisted China National Nuclear Corporation in its successful issuance of carbon-neutral green bonds on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The JunHe team also achieved great success in IPO work last year. One highlighted case is that the team advised Atour Hotel’s IPO on the Nasdaq with the issuance of new regulations by China’s legislative and administrative authorities including data security laws, cybersecurity laws and personal information protection laws. Another notable deal is that the team advised Tianqi Lithium in its $16.84 million IPO, which was the largest IPO in the global lithium sector.

The firm also completed a few restructuring transactions. For example, the team represented A-share listed company Hengkang Medical in its restructuring and two Quanzhou-based property developers in finishing their restructuring.

Last year, the firm hired Zhijin Lin, Libin Shi and Xiaofei Chan to strengthen the firm’s capital markets team. Also, five new partners joined the firm’s restructuring and insolvency team: Zhengdong Liu, Yifan Xian, Yao Bai, Bingbing Gai and Chenghao Li.

Deal highlights: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Atour Hotel’s Nasdaq IPO.

Han’s CNC Technology’s listing on the GEM of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Jiarong Technology’s listing on the GEM of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Ruqi Mobility’s Series A financing.

Geovis’ A-shares private placement.

Miniso’s listing on HKEX.

Client feedback: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Banking and finance

“They know the bank's requirements well and make sure these requirements are properly covered in the respective documentation.”

“Responsive and proactive in solving clients' queries.”

“JunHe has a strong finance team. They are hardworking and proactive and have a strong bench of associates. JunHe are well respected in the industry and good to work with.”

Investment funds

“Advice is practical.”

M&A

“JH's Chen Wei team provided very high-quality legal professional advice, and more importantly, provided valuable guidance from business perspectives based on her in-depth understanding of the business of the industry. Both legal and business teams are impressed by her team's professionalism.”

“Professional, efficient, highly motivated.”

“Led by Wei Chen, JunHe's team provided very professional and highly valuable legal advice to this complex project, which took more than one year and required skills and expertise in multiple areas like corporate, M&A, negotiation, dispute resolution, labour and antitrust. I am impressed by the quality of their work, the creative and constructive thinking and the very important project coordination and management capabilities.”

“The antitrust analysis is very comprehensive and pragmatic.”

“Given the fact that we used to be a subsidiary of our UK company, the deal involved restructuring of the company and handling the legal matter with a relatively large number of investors. It was quite complex and JunHe has helped us through the entire process.”

Private equity

“They advise on deal structure and documentation.”

“Very client orientated. Responds to the client's needs.”

“Strong legal expertise, responsiveness and strong commercial awareness.”

Lawyer feedback: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Joey Lu

“Joey knows the customer's requirements well and actively responds to customer's feedback.”

Alex Lee

“Always responds to client's email promptly and is helpful.”

“Alex is a leading finance lawyer in Hong Kong. He has a wealth of experience, having worked both in-house and in private practice for a number of years. Alex is technically strong but also bears in mind the commercial imperatives on transactions. He has a good bench of associates. Alex is friendly, easy to work with and is a fluent English and Mandarin speaker. He has strong relationships with both international and PRC banks. I recommend Alex highly.”

“Alex has been extremely helpful in supporting our company, especially throughout our Series A fund-raising exercise. His professional advice and support have been instrumental in the fund-raising exercise.”

Jacqueline Qiao

“Jacqueline is the name partner of our company, she makes sure all our legal needs are served and responded to in a timely manner.”

Jiakun (Kevin) Cui

“He manages the team to provide services, and consults other lawyers to solve specific problems, like tax issues.”

Wei Chen

“Wei's in-depth knowledge about the business and industry are impressive. Her advice is not only from a purely legal perspective, but also from a business orientation, which makes her advice extremely helpful and valuable for us compared with other firms.”

“She is very diligent and professional. We are satisfied with her work as she can offer some commercial advice rather than pure legal advice.”

“Led by Ms Wei Chen, JunHe's team provided professional and valuable legal advice to this complex project, which took more than one year and required skills and expertise in multiple areas like corporate, M&A, negotiation, dispute resolution, labour and antitrust. I am impressed by the quality of their work, the creative and constructive thinking and the very important project coordination and management capabilities.”

Janet Hui

“She has a breadth of industry experience and expertise in her area of specialty, her advice is precise and pragmatic. She is very responsive and constructive.”

Jiang Chen

“They support on private equity transactions.”

“Strong legal expertise, professional, responsive and good commercial awareness.”

Joe Chen

“Very responsive. Listens to the client's concerns and addresses them.”

Kangda Law Firm is a large full-service law firm headquartered in Beijing which has a pan-China presence with more than 1,100 professionals spread across 18 branches. It was founded in 1988 and is among the first private partnership law firms approved by the Ministry of Justice of China.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is best recognised for its restructuring and insolvency work and is also active in capital markets. Sectors of experience include real estate, industrials and manufacturing, technology, agriculture, construction and engineering, and logistics.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Guandian Defense Technology, Beijing China Sciences Runyu Environmental Technology, Guangdong Fenghua Advanced Technology, Liaoning Xinglong Group and Shaanxi Jinyuan Real Estate Development. 

Research period review: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

During the research period, the firm represented Liaoning Xinglong Group Enterprise, a debtor, in Liaoning Xinglong Department Store Group’s reorganisation. The debtor companies are distributed in department stores, hotels, restaurants and entertainment. This case involved nearly Rmb20 billion in debt and tens of thousands of creditors.

The firm advised 21 IPO-related deals. Highlighted clients include Aerospace Nanhu Electronic Information Technology, Suzhou Kuaike Photovoltaic Electronics, Beijing China Sciences Runyu Environmental Technology, Tianjian Electroacoustic and Hebei Huami New Material Technology.

In 2022, the firm hired Zhiwu Dong from AllBright Law Offices’ Xiamen office to its banking and finance team and Feng Xie from Fujian Yingkun Law Firm joined the firm’s restructuring and insolvency team.

Deal highlights: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Liaoning Xinglong Department Store Group’s reorganisation.

Aerospace Nanhu Electronic Information Technology’s STAR Market IPO.

Yunkang Group's listing on HKEX.

Guangdong Monte-Bianco New Materials’ IPO.

Client feedback: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Banking and finance

“Beijing Kangda Law Firm gave professional and practical legal opinions during the period of providing legal services for our company in domestic and overseas financing. In particular acting as our permanent legal adviser in the process of due diligence and assisting the company's standardised operation, the team was able to provide targeted and operative legal solutions by combining our actual situation and the special requirements of the local normative documents.”

Capital markets

“Excellent.”

Lawyer feedback: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Shipeng Zhang

“Professional.”

Tongtong Lu

“Lu is a senior partner of Beijing Kanda Law Firm. Lu’s team of attorneys has a complete staffing structure and is capable of responding to clients’ requests and dealing with urgent issues; Lu’s attorneys have extensive experience and are able to provide professional and practical legal compliance solutions tailored to the specific circumstances of our company.”

Established in 2015, Cathay Associates Kejie is a boutique transactional law firm specialised in advising domestic and international companies, financial institutions and governments.

It has a global network of offices across 57 countries and works with its member firms to provide cross-jurisdictional legal services for Chinese enterprises on outbound investments, M&A and other cross-border matters.

Kejie’s legal services focus on M&A, private equity, financing and investment matters, investment funds, and capital markets. 

Deal highlights

-SDIC investment in Beijing Jingdiao

-Sino-Ocean Group $400 million bond issue

Leaf is a boutique law firm founded in 2012 by a team of European lawyers, led by Bruno Grangier. The firm has offices in Beijing and Shanghai. In the last quarter of 2020, SNB Law and Leaf started a strategic cooperation, a joint M&A team is to be established and will consist of experienced professionals from France, Germany, Austria, China and Vietnam. To increase its footprint in Europe, the firm opened an office in Paris in January 2020. Partner Charlotte Mantoux, who was previously in Shanghai, joined the firm’s Paris office.

Highlights

With a focus on M&A and private equity, the team is composed of Chinese and international corporate lawyers trained in international law firms and familiar with cross-border transactions with major MNCs, entrepreneurs, funds, and setting up joint ventures in China.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include GL Events, Pernod Ricard, Beaumanoir, Babolat, Nuxe, Galeries Lafayette, Full Jet, Tomorrow, Havas Group, and Cerba and Sanyou Medical.

Established in 2001, Anli Partners is a Beijing-based law firm with over 120 partners and senior consultants, and further offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Hohhot, Kunming, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Haikuo and Tokyo.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is strongest in banking and project financing, asset management, overseas investment and M&A.

Key clients 

Key clients of the firm include China Development Bank, China CITIC Bank, R&F Properties and Binhai New Area Construction and Investment.

Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)

Key partners are Xuliang Xu, whose focuses are banking and finance, and Xuefeng Ji, who specialises in corporate matters, investment and financing.

During the research cycle, all submitted cases remain confidential but showcased the firm’s capacity in handling complicated transactions.

London headquartered multinational law firm Ashurst was founded in 1822 and currently boasts a team of 458 partners spread across 29 offices. The firm exerts a strong presence in China through its offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Focusses / specialisms 

Ashurst in China is best known for its projects work and is also active in the corporate and M&A space.

The projects team advises clients such as sponsors, lenders, and multilaterals on matters across a wide range of industries, including energy, transport, social infrastructure, utilities, oil and gas, and mining, and natural resources.

Key clients  

Notable clients include China Development Bank, Bank of China, Export Import Bank of China, Deutsche Bank, Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank, China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, and China Construction Bank.

Chicago headquartered multinational law firm Baker McKenzie caters to the Chinese market through its offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. In 2015, the firm launched Baker McKenzie FenXun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office, the first joint operation between an international and a Chinese law firm in China.

Focusses / specialisms 

Baker McKenzie in China is known for its strong banking and finance, corporate and M&A, and project development offerings and also boasts a well-established capital markets practice.

The banking team advises on a range of financing matters such as project finance, acquisition finance, syndicated loans, and export credit finance. The capital markets team is experienced in advising clients such as issuers and underwriters across a gamut of debt and equity offerings. The private equity team is active in sectors such as healthcare, technology and telecommunication, energy, retail, industrials and manufacturing, and consumer products.

Key clients  

The firm acts for the likes of Bank of China, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, DBS Bank, Tencent, Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions & Benefits Fund, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and Gaw Capital Partners.

Founded in 2011, Chance Bridge Law Firm currently has four offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Haikou, and there are nearly 100 professionals in the firm.

Focusses / specialisms

Their core strength includes capital markets, financial markets, corporate and international trade and compliance.

Key clients

Key clients include Xiamen International Bank, China Construction Bank, China Minsheng Bank, Industrial Bank, CITIC Securities, China Chengtong Holdings Group, Huarong Capital Management and China Industrial International Trust.

Research period review: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

In 2022, Chance Bridge Law Firm completed Gansu-based Jinhui Mining’s listing in Shanghai. This company was the first enterprise in Gansu province listed on the main board of Shanghai Stock Exchange in the past five years. The team also advised data acquisition equipment manufacturer and distributer SEUIC Technologies’ IPO on STAR market, which involved the changes of rights of state-owned properties as one of the shareholders was a well-known public university.

Also, the team assisted China National Railway Group Corporation’s subsidiary Haoji Railway on a Rmb9 billion corporate bonds non-public offering. The funds raised will repay bank loans for the construction of Haoji Railway. Haoji Railway is the first north-south railway in China that is dedicated to coal.

Last year, the team assisted a real estate company in exiting a logistics company’s bankruptcy project as an investor. Due to significant policy changes, the restructuring of the logistics company was difficult to implement. Facing pressure from the creditors of the logistics company, the bankruptcy administrator and the lending banks, and potential legal risks, the real estate company decided to quit the project.

The firm also provided legal services for a few top-notch securities companies, trusts and banks.

Deal highlights: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Jinhui Mining’s IPO in Shanghai.

SEUIC Technologies’s STAR Market IPO.

Haoji Railway’s bonds issuance.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is an international law firm headquartered in the United States. With 16 offices worldwide, the firm has established a significant presence in Asia. with its Hong Kong office opened in 1980 and Beijing office opened in 2006. Its Hong Kong office, opened in 1980, and Beijing office, opened in 2006, have played a pivotal role in serving clients from both Asian and non-Asian backgrounds. 

Clifford Chance is a London-based magic circle law firm with over 3300 lawyers and 34 offices across 23 countries. The firm opened its Hong Kong office in 1980 which now has 150 lawyers servicing clients’ Greater China interests in conjunction with its Beijing and Shanghai offices. The firm has market leading transactional practices across an array of practice areas as it has the largest banking team in Hong Kong and strong relationships with Chinese policy and commercial banks. 

Established in 2018, CM Law Firm is an eight partner and 50-lawyer-strong Shanghai-based PRC law firm with a further office in Beijing.

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is focussed on early-stage financing, pre-IPO investment, IPOs, secondary market financing and facilitating domestic and cross-border private equity transactions.

Key clients  

Key clients of the firm include Futu Securities International, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Cloopen, Kintor Pharmaceutical, Zhejiang Energy and Credit Suisse.

Founded in 1998, Co-effort is a business focused law firm headquartered in Shanghai. It has 14 branch offices across China, as well as international offices located Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Milan, Paris, France, Singapore, Berlin and Geneva.

Focusses / specialisms

In terms of capital markets, the firm advises in equity deals like IPO’s, private placements and secondary offerings. The capital markets team also advises in securities law, assisting clients in the process of debt issues, securitization and asset-backed securitization.

M&A advice sees the firm advise on cross border acquisitions for corporate clients and financial entities.

Key clients

Key clients include Yijiayuan Xiamen Property Management, Chongqing Fuling State-owned Assets Investment Management Group, of Shenchi electromechanical and Jiangxi Huisheng Gongchuang Environmental Resources Technology.

Cooley is an American international law firm with more than 1,300 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States, Asia and Europe, and a total workforce of more than 3,000. The firm regularly advises clients on unique business opportunities and legal challenges across APAC region, with offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore. 

Cuatrecasas is a Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American focused firm with more than 1,000 lawyers across 14 countries. The firm opened an office in Shanghai in 2007 followed by Beijing in 2017. The firm advise clients on their investments in China and other countries in the region through a team of Chinese consultants and foreign lawyers.

DaHui Lawyers is a boutique law firm based in Beijing.

Focusses / specialisms    

The firm services private equity and venture capital investors to include hedge funds and other investors forming and investing in funds.

Key clients   

Key clients include China International Capital Corporation, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Yinxiang Biji, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Alibaba.

Research period review: 32^nd edition (2022/2023)     

The firm performed well in capital markets in 2021. They worked—mainly as lead counsel—on several (de-)SPAC deals as well as some IPOs and numerous pre-IPO private placements and share transfers.

In 2020, the firm assisted on over a dozen matters centred around funds—not counting many private equity or venture capital investments that just involved funds—and the total value involved was over $1 billion. Highlighted cases include Tiger Brokers’ various confidential transactions, Lenovo’s investment in Cyclone, and Xiaomi’s investment in a Chinese company. Although most of its cases are confidential, the legal issues and solutions involved have shown the professionalism of the firm.

Last year, the firm hired Lucy Lu from Morrison & Foerster. She focuses on cross-border investment and M&A. In 2021, the firm added Zhao Pei, a funds specialist, from Shearman & Sterling.

Deal highlights

All highlight cases the firm submitted are confidential.

Established in 1851, Deacons is Hong Kong’s oldest and largest law firm with 300 lawyers and further offices in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai. The firm has connections with independent law firms across the world through its membership of legal networks such as Lex Mundi, Interlex, World Services Group and Employment Law Alliance.

Focusses / specialisms

Deacons has the largest investment funds team in Hong Kong and dominates in retail funds. It covers PRC-related funds and mandatory provident funds (MPF), which are unique to Hong Kong. The firm also has strong capital markets, corporate and regulatory practices.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Manulife, Kerry Logistics Network, Bank of China, BNP Paribas Securities, Mirae Asset Global Investments, Janus Henderson Management and The Bank of East Asia. 

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

The firm’s capital markets team kept busy advising on Hong Kong IPOs, PRC sovereign bond issues and programme updates. 

The firm’s funds team were preoccupied advising on ETFs, ESG funds and SFC authorised funds alongside money market funds, ICITS funds and private equity strategy.  

The corporate practice acted on take-privates, disposals, investments, corporate restructuring mandates and acquisitions in logistics, technology, retail, healthcare and financial services, while the regulatory team provided compliance, corporate governance and SFC-related advice.  

In 2019 the firm brought in regulatory partner Stephen Tisdall from the Securities and Futures commission.

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

-Horizon Global Sustainable Equity Fund

-Huijing Holdings Company HKSE IPO

-JY Grandmark Holdings HKSE IPO

-Mirae Asset Horizons China Biotech ETF

-Manfield Chemical HK$790 million acquisition of 51% stake in Mao Hong Information Technology Holding

-Ministry of Finance of the PRC Rmb9.5 billion sovereign bond issue

-Wharf Real Estate Investment Company $300 million 2.50% bond issue

-Wheelock and Company HK$47.5 take-private  

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Banking

“Sharp and right to the point advice.”

Investment funds 

“Good understanding of regulations and trends, market practice.”

“Deacons are very familiar with the regulatory requirements, development and market practice. Their team of professionals are very supportive and can provide useful advice to assist us in fulfilling the necessary regulatory requirements while being able to accommodate commercial needs.”

“Timely and practical advice, client-focused, awareness of market practice and solid understanding of regulator's expectations.”

“Deacons was able to indicate the gap between the market practice and the already outdated regulatory requirements. Deacons was very practical and has strong knowledge in operation of the fund industry.”

“Responsive, multidisciplinary, well connected to the regulator and on top of recent regulatory changes.”

“The firm knows our business well and their advice is based on this intimate knowledge of what we need and what works and what does not work for us.” 

Debevoise & Plimpton is a New York-based global law firm with 655 lawyers across 10 offices in the US, Europe and Asia. The firm services its clients with Chinese interests from its offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Debevoise & Plimpton is transactionally strongest in strategic and private equity, M&A and private funds. 

Key clients of the firm include Carlyle Group, Alibaba Group, Baring Private Equity Partners Asia, Ontario Teachers Plan Pension Board, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and Wilsonart International.

During the research period, the firm handled large private equity fund formation and secondaries matters alongside take-privates, joint ventures, recapitalisations, restructuring mandates and acquisitions in the healthcare, consumer goods, retail, agriculture, chemicals and insurance industries. 

Deal highlights

-Anta Sports Products $5.15 billion acquisition of Amer Sports 

-Baring Private Equity Asia Fund VII

-MYOB Group $1.2 billion take-private

-National Investment and Infrastructure Fund  

-New Frontier Corporation $1.44 billion acquisition of United Family Healthcare

-WeWork Companies restructuring 

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Investment funds

“Know us and the market norms very well; extremely efficient in their work; proactive and strong advocates for their clients.”

“Technically very sound and great depth in domain knowledge and experience. Excellent turnaround times.”

“Technically excellent and good, in-depth understanding of the private equity industry.”

“Practical advice and prompt responses”

M&A

“Responsive, understands clients’ goals.”

Private equity 

“Good market intel. Responsiveness. Professional with good technical knowledge.”

“Very responsive and worked to tight capped fee estimates.” 

“Proactive, commercial, tailors work to the client and remembers previous deals and positions. User friendly.” 

Founded in 1993, Beijing DHH Law Firm is a full-service law firm that was established by Deheng Law Group. Over the years, the firm has expanded aggressively, targeting various strategic locations throughout the country, and it now has 60 offices across China and nine overseas.

Focusses / specialisms    

DHH Law Firm has been dedicated to serving listed companies in more than 20 practice areas with a focus on the operation, compliance, and risk management issues of listed companies.

Key clients   

Key clients include Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, PetroChina, China Merchants Bank, China First Automobile, Shandong Financial Asset Management, The People's Insurance Company, and China Vanke.

Research period review: 32^nd edition (2022/2023) 

Last year, the banking and finance team represented Tianjin Rural Commercial Bank in a series of financial loan dispute cases with deal value at Rmb2 billion. The team provided legal services during litigation and enforcement.

In 2020, the firm worked in various financial-related practice areas, including banking and finance, M&A, capital markets, investment funds, private equity, restructuring and insolvency, and financial services regulatory.

Deal highlights

China State Shipbuilding Corporation acquisition of shares in China Ship Heavy Industry Group and China Ship Industry Group

Kaitai Capital $5 million investment in Worktile

Shanghai King Chemical Rmb20 million round A financing

Shenzhen Shi Jia Chang Yuan Group Company $750 million debt restructuring

Client Feedback: 32^nd edition (2022/2023)  

Banking and finance

“During our cooperation, Beijing DHH Law Firm's legal service and their one-stop professionalism support, cost-saving and efficient communications greatly impress us. Most importantly, their great resources and efficient connections with offshore law firms is another big reason why we recommend.”

Dorsey & Whitney is a US-based law firm with over 500 lawyers spread across 21 offices in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. In Asia, the firm has established offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. The Hong Kong office was opened in 1995, followed by the Shanghai office in 2001 and the Beijing office in 2015. 

East & Concord Partners is a full-service law firm in China covering over 20 practice areas. The firm is headquartered in Beijing, with offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Hangzhou.

Focusses / specialisms

East & Concord specialises in banking and finance and capital markets. In the research period, the firm showed its deep understanding of fast-growing industries such as healthcare, sports and data protection. The firm has been involved in several M&A projects in the pharmaceutical and health industry.

Key clients

The firm’s key clients include China CITIC Bank, CITIC Group, Huaxia Bank, Guomin Pension & Insurance, Beijing Capital Eco-Environment Protection Group, Fullgoal Fund Management, China International Capital, CICC Fund Management and China Orient Asset Management.

Research period review: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

In 2022, the firm advised China CITIC Bank on launching equity refinancing projects by placing shares to original shareholders in China and Hong Kong.

In one highlighted case, the firm established Huaxia Wealth, which is the first commercial bank wealth management subsidiary registered in Beijing by a national joint-stock commercial bank.

In another notable case, the firm assisted SPD Silicon Valley Bank to acquire an asset from a confidential company. The target has businesses in various industries such as hardware, software, internet, mobile, consumer technology, life sciences, biotechnology and clean-tech, and private hospitals. Advising on financing structures for various acquisitions on these sectors shows that the team has comprehensive legal knowledge.

Deal highlights: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Huaxia Wealth establishment.

Beijing Enterprises Group’s Rmb15 billion bond issue.

Suzhou Branch of China Development Bank city reconstruction project.

Yinji Entertainment and Media insolvency.

Eversheds Sutherland is the result of a 2017 merger between law firms Eversheds and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan. It has over 2800 lawyers and 68 offices across 32 countries. The firm serves its clients with China interests from its offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

In Hong Kong the firm is most active in handling structured finance and securitisation mandates and has expertise in contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency-related matters.

Key clients of the firm include Hong Kong Capital Finance Corporation, Meritz Securities, Oceanwide Holdings, DBS Bank, HSBC, Gibson Innovations and Liberty Group.

In the past 12 months, the team has kept busy advising on RMBS mandates and Korean securitsation mandates, public to private structured financing, trade recievables and derivatives matters. The restructuring and insolvency team has handled Indian mandates, and matters in consumer goods, retail and mining. 

In 2019, the team was bolstered with the relocation of partner Alex Doughty from the London office and the hire of of counsel Simon Barrell from Shearman & Sterling. 

Deal highlights

-Adhunik and Zion Metals NLCT insolvency 

-Gibson Innovations insolvency 

-HKCFC HK$1.7 billion RMBS securitisation

-Manley Toys insolvency

-Meritz Securities HK$1.3 billion Korean securitisation warehousing transaction

-Springland International Holdings HK$4.5 billion public-to-private structured financing 

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Banking

“The firm understands commercial realities and offers practical advice and solutions to assist the bank.”

“Can provide timely responses and is flexible in budgeting.”

“Kingsley Ong led the Eversheds team and did a remarkable job. They were very efficient and responsive to requests and comments.  Legal advice is always on-point and practical solutions offered.”

Capital markets: Debt

“They are very responsive, supportive and focused. They tried to find the work that they could do for their clients.”

Capital markets: Structured finance and securitisation

“Eversheds has a very steady and logical approach, which engenders confidence. They have plenty of market knowledge and experience and this allows them to provide helpful and innovative solutions. They are proactive and their turnaround is fast. Overall, a top notch product.”

“The law firm is pragmatic, commercial and responsive.”

“The deal went through numerous negotiations, comments, and editing. Eversheds quickly reviewed and responded with recommended ideas and comments.”

“Overall quality of the advice has been off the charts. Substantial experience, which has been market-proven, in this structured financing involving the residential mortgage market has been clearly differentiated, and the level of proactive support throughout the entire deal process has been truly instrumental.”

“Strong local and international market knowledge with good grasp of structuring concepts and the ability to properly document these.”

Restructuring and insolvency

“Clear advice which avoids jargon and pompous legal jargon.”

“Three key attributes are: the team's appreciation of the position and perspectives of administrators/liquidators which contributed to their quick and sharp response to the issues we raised; the ability to mobilise and draw on their local expertise in UK and China has been very helpful in dealing with issues which have arisen in the course of the liquidation; and the multi-lingual ability of the team. They were able to support us in meetings conducted in Cantonese, Putonghua and English.”

“Very responsive and provides a fairly valuable service.”

Established in Beijing in 2009, FenXun Partners is a PRC law firm with 140 fee earners, 30 partners and further offices in Shanghai and Qionghai. In 2015 Baker McKenzie FenXun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office was jointly established by FenXun and Baker McKenzie as the first joint operation approved by the Shanghai Justice Bureau.

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is focused on M&A, foreign direct investment, capital markets, asset securitisation, investment funds, private equity, competition and finance, and has expertise in financial services and real estate.

Key clients  

Key clients of the firm include Nashwork, Chongqing Baidu Microfinance, Herald International Financial Leasing, Huarong Rongde Asset Management, Whirlpool and GlaxoSmithKline.

Goodwin Procter is an American-headquartered law firm with a strong presence in Asia. The firm's Asia team operates from offices in Hong Kong, India, and Singapore. The firm's Greater China team composed with lawyers who are qualified in Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the United States (US). 

GRATA International, founded in 1992, is an international law firm that specializes in providing services for projects in the countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The firm has also established an office in Beijing, China, where it regularly offers legal services to Chinese companies in relation to Kazakh corporate law, projects, and M&A transactions. 

Beijing-headquartered Hai Run Law Firm was formed in January 2018 by the merger of two former longstanding law firms, Beijing Hairun Law Firm and Beijing Tianrui Law Firm. The firm now is home to more than 300 lawyers across 11 offices in China.

Focusses / specialisms

Its transactional team is active in several practice areas, such as equity capital markets, banking and finance, and financial regulatory. Zhang Shenghuai and Zhu Yushuan are the key names of the firm’s capital markets team.

Key clients

Key clients include Guangzhou Automobile Group, Beijing Dalong Weiye Real Estate Development, China National Machinery Industry, Sunwave Communications, Shaanxi Construction Machinery, Xinsanxia Equipment, and Hawtai Motor Group.

Research period review: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Last year, Hai Run team advised several companies in providing capital markets services. The team assisted Sansec Technology in completing its IPO, which is the first listed company in the commercial cryptography industry on the SSE STAR Market. In April 2022, Hai Run Law Firm assisted Yongtaiyun Chemical Logistics, a cross-border chemical logistics supply chain services provider, to land on the main board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and raise over Rmb790 million.

Also, Hai Run team advised on China Technology Exchange-Zhongguancun Guarantee/Changjiang-Phase 2 intellectual property asset-backed securities issuance. Compared with traditional asset securitization projects, this project is a great innovation in terms of underlying assets, transaction mode, guarantee method and credit enhancement method.

Deal highlights: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Yongtaiyun Chemical Logistics’ IPO.

Sansec Technology’s IPO.

Newonder Special Electric’s IPO on ChiNext.

China Technology Exchange-Zhongguancun Guarantee/Changjiang-Phase 2 IP ABS.

Hylands Law Firm was established in 1997 under the name of Haotian Law Firm. It is based in Beijing and—alongside an IP Agency—has 17 further offices in Shanghai, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Hangzhou, Hefei, Hong Kong, Jiangyin, Jinan, Nanjing, Nanning, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Wenzhou and Yinchuan. Hylands is also one of two Chinese member firms of TerraLex, a global law firm network. 

K&L Gates is a US-based international law firm with 45 further offices across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. The firm assists its clients with Greater China interests from its offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei. 

Its lawyers instruct on cross-border transactional, regulatory, and contentious matters, but are especially active in corporate and M&A. 

Key clients of the firm include Koppers, TCL Holdings, Greentown Education Investment, Luye Medical, KaiOS Technology, Bluescope Steel and DIC Corporation. 

Over the research period the firm kept itself busy with corporate advice and restructuiring mandates, joint ventures, investments, stake sales and acquistions in the chemicals and financial services sectors. 

In 2019, the firm hired partner Guiping Lu from Haiwen & Partners and saw Grace Fan-Delatour depart for White & Case. 

Deal highlights

-Greentown Service Group A$67 million acquisition of 56% stake in Montessori Academy Group

-Fangda Carbon New Material and C-Chem $107 million acquisition of Koppers (Jiangsu) Carbon Chemical Company 

-KaiOS Technology restructuring 

Lantai Law Firm was founded in Beijing in 2002 and has a further 16 offices in other Chinese cities including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Nanjing.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is especially active in banking and finance. Since January 2020, it has provided legal services on more than 30 financing projects, covering fixed asset loans, M&A loans, syndicated loans, operating property loans, consumer loans, wealth management financing, PPP loans and asset-backed special plans, asset-backed bills and development financial support.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include China Development Bank, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, China CITIC Bank, Bank of Communications, Beijing Bank, Beijing Rural Commercial Bank.

Research period review: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

In 2022, the firm advised several commercial banks and developmental financial institutes. Key names are senior partners: Xiaomin Yao and Qing Wang. Notable deals include advising China Development Bank in its issuance of a REITS project for a local state-owned credit subject enterprise; advising China CITIC Bank Kunming Branch as the lender on the M&A between Cloud Group and Platinum Industry.

Apart from the deals above, the firm also assisted China Development Bank in Rmb360 billion of infrastructure investment funds formation. The project was completed within a short period and the structure involved different delivery means.

On the capital markets side, the firm advised Henan-based Zhongyuan Bank on the placement of 3.15 billion H-shares; and advised Heilongjiang ZBD Pharmaceutical on its listing.

Deal highlights: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

China Development Bank’s REITS project.

Cloud Group and Platinum Industry Co’s merger and acquisition.

Zhongyuan Bank’s H-share placement.

Heilongjiang ZBD Pharmaceutical’s listing.

Beijing Yicheng Real Estate’s Rmb4 billion syndicated loan.

CDB Financial’s Rmb1.5 billion structured financing.

Beijing Wuyi Real Estate Development’s Rmb1 billion real estate development loan.

Beijing Jingu Chuangxin Real Estate’s Rmb1 billion syndicated loan.

Client feedback: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Banking and finance

“High quality of legal services, timely feedback, well meet the needs of the bank's domestic and foreign business legal services.”

Lawyer feedback: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Qing Wang

“High quality of legal services, timely feedback.”

Established in California in 1934, Latham & Watkins is an international firm with 2700 lawyers across 29 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm’s office in Hong Kong leverages off its Asia network of offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo.  

Focusses / specialisms

Latham & Watkins traditional strength in Hong Kong is in M&A and capital markets, but in recent times, it has made its presence felt in regional private equity, restructuring and insolvency, regulatory and leveraged finance, where it has a unique practice that acts for lenders, sponsors and borrowers.  

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Zhengzhou Zhongrui Industrial Group, China National Chemical Corporation, ESR Cayman, Bank of America, Vipshop Holdings, Huachen Energy and China Life Insurance (Overseas) Company.

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

The firm’s capital markets team kept busy advising on Hong Kong and US IPOs, high-yield bond issuance, corporate and convertible bonds and programme updates. 

In finance the firm acted in a range of conventional finance mandates, lender and sponsor leveraged finance, margin financing and bridge loans. 

The corporate team were busy with take-private mandates, investments, mergers, joint ventures, spin-offs, and acquisitions in the transport, automotive, telecommunications, data centres, healthcare, technology, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage industries. 

The private equity team assisted clients in various rounds of funding while the regulatory team handled a host of contentious and non-contentious mandates. 

In restructuring and insolvency, the firm acted for bondholders and advised in financial restructuring mandates alongside other matters in energy, mining and medical industries. 

The firm’s corporate team was hit with the departure of its Beijing office managing partner Yilong Du to private equity firm Warburg Pincus. 

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

-China Biologic Products Holdings $4.6 billion take-private

-China National Chemical Corporation $2.5 billion multiple-tranche (3.125%, 3.375%, 3.875%, 4.75%) bond issue 

-Chongqing Sincere Yuanchuang Industrial $230 million 10% high-yield bond issue 

-DouYu International Holdings NYSE IPO

-ESR Cayman HKSE IPO

-Ruangguru $150 million series C financing 

-Shanghai Huaxin insolvency

-Tencent Asset Management $6.5 billion term loan and revolving credit facility 

-Vipshop Holdings Rmb3.4 billion acquisition of Shan Shan Commercial Group 

LPA Law is a full-service French law firm with over 230 lawyers in 12 offices located across the globe. The firm established Shanghai office in 2008 and cooperate closely with the firm’s other Asian, African and European offices to advise our clients in their international settlement and expansion projects.

Morgan Lewis & Bockius is a Philadelphia-based international law firm with 2200 lawyers across 31 offices in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The firm services its clients with Greater China interests from its offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.

Founded in 1951, Paul Hastings is a global law firm that has strategically grown to anticipate and respond to clients' needs in markets across the globe. The firm has a strong presence in Asia. The firm’s Beijing and Shanghai teams work closely with offices in Hong Kong, Seoul, and Tokyo to advise clients throughout Asia.

Proskauer Rose is a New York-headquartered law firm 12 global offices and 725 lawyers. The firm caters to its clients with Chinese interests from its offices in Hong Kong and Beijing. 

From its offices in Hong Kong the firm is best known for its private equity, M&A and regulatory enforcement work.

Key clients of the firm include Grifols, Accor, RRJ Capital, CCB International Asset Management, Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund, Adamas Asset Management and Parker-Migliorini International. 

During the research period the firm kept busy with joint ventures, disposals, investments, acquisitions and fund formation mandates in the hotels, real estate, retail, healthcare and fintech sectors alongside SFC investigations and compliance work. 

Deal highlights

-Accor acquisition of Tribe 

-B.M. Group $100 million investment in LVC Super Unicorn Fund

-Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund financial technology investment

-Grifols / Shanghai RAAS Blood Products strategic alliance 

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Capital markets: Equity

“Knowledgeable, professional, problem solving.”

Financial services regulatory

“The firm is street smart and technically sound.  It has a realistic view of the situation and can provide pragmatic advice.”

Investment funds

“Knowledgeable and thorough.”

“Experienced in fund formation, responsive to clients’ requests and good communication skills.”

M&A

“Responsive, provides timely and practical advice.”

“The Proskauer team serving on our deals was technically strong, very commercial and reliable. The team was led by Ying, a go-to lawyer for cross-border M&A and financing deals in the real estate sector. Ying is a native Chinese with dozens of years of experience advising clients on various cross-border transactions. He really focused on the client's needs and had a great understanding of our business and culture. Ying was very commercial and had a very good insight into the market. He was known for his sharp style at the negotiation table. When negotiating deals for clients, Ying always knew how to maximise the clients' negotiation leverage. Ying was also practical and efficient, and was quick in coming up with solutions that were both commercially and legally sound. We really benefited from his representation.”

Private equity 

“Fast responses, flexible, raise risk awareness and solutions.”

“Knowledgeable, efficient, practical.”

“Professional, responsive and hard working with a good attitude.”

Seyfarth Shaw is an international law firm headquartered in the US. With over 900 lawyers spread across 18 offices, the firm provides legal services to clients in various practice areas, including corporate and M&A, capital markets, family offices, and related regulatory mandates. Seyfarth Shaw has established offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong SAR advising clients in cross-border issues.  

SF Lawyers is a member of KPMG’s Global Legal Services network that has over 2700 legal professionals across 81 jurisdictions. The affiliated Hong Kong firm SF Lawyers has 10 lawyers and more recently launched in Shanghai with Shanghai SF Lawyers as the English registered name of the independent PRC firm Ruiwei Law Firm.

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is focused on cross-border mergers and acquisitions and corporate and commercial legal services.

Key clients  

Key clients of the firm include Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation and Wangsu Science & Technology.

Based across Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chengdu, SGLA Law Firm was jointly founded by members of the former Sino-Global Legal Alliance, a leading alliance recognised by international rating agencies. SGLA is now a large complex of top regional firms serving the needs of both domestic and international clients.

Focusses / specialisms

SGLA Law Firm is noted for its track record in successfully representing clients in restructurings and insolvency and M&A proceedings.

Key clients

The firm’s key clients include Vanke Group, Alibaba Chongqing, Ant Group and Li Ning.

Research period review: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

In 2022, the firm represented Chongqing Water Group Public Engineering Consulting to integrate the waste-water treatment project held and operated by Tianjin Motimo Membrane Technology by means of direct merger and acquisition, merger and acquisition by cooperative fund or other means.

The firm’s Chongqing office hired six partners to strengthen its corporate matters capability while four partners left - three joined Zhong Wen Law Firm and one joined Longan Law Firm.

Deal highlights: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Chongqing Water Group Public Engineering Consulting and Tianjin Motimo Membrane Technology’s M&A.

Formed in 1866, Sidley Austin is a Chicago-based international law firm with over 2000 lawyers across 20 global offices. In Asia-Pacific the firm has 200 legal professionals in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. Its Hong Kong office was established in 1994. 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm offers US, Hong Kong and English legal advice to its clients and excels transactionally in the equity capital markets, the debt—especially high-yield bond issuances—capital markets, investment funds, M&A and private equity. 

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Springland International Holdings, Vivo Capital, CanSino Biologics, Kaisa Group Holdings Company, Standard Chartered Bank, DBS Bank and Fosun International. 

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

The firm’s equity capital markets practice was very active during the research period advising on Hong Kong IPOs, share placements and rights issues; while the debt team handled corporate bond issuances alongside high-yield, convertible and green bond issues. 

The M&A team acted in take-privates, joint ventures, disposals and acquisitions in the transport, real estate and construction industries. In private equity the firm assisted clients in various rounds of funding and in investments.  

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

-China Evergrande Group Rmb13.2 billion acquisition of Shengjing Bank

-Fosun International €400 million 4.35% high-yield bond issue 

-HiFiBiO Therapeutics $67 million series C financing

-Kaisa Group Holdings $400 million 11.95% high-yield bond issue

-Shanghai Henlius HKSE IPO

-Springland International Holdings HK$4.5 billion take-private 

-Vodafone Idea $3.5 billion rights issue 

-Zhongliang Holdings HKSE IPO

Formed in 1948, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is a New York-based international law firm with 1,700 lawyers across 22 offices. The firm’s Beijing office opened in 1991. The firm serves its clients’ Greater China interests from its offices in Hong Kong and Beijing with more than 70 lawyers.

Slaughter & May is the Chinese presence of the international firm of the same name. The firm became the first London law firm to establish an office in Hong Kong when it opened in 1974.

Established in 1889, Slaughter & May is a London-based magic circle law firm with 560 lawyers across additional offices in Brussels, Beijing and Hong Kong.  Compared to similar firms of its stature the firm has a minimal overseas presence relying instead on relationships with local law firms for its international practice.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a focus on foreign capital markets and M&A.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Tencent Holdings, United Energy Group, Haitong International Capital, Goldman Sachs, Standard Chartered Bank, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing and FWD Group.

Stephenson Harwood is a London-headquartered law firm with nine offices across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The firm has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong and an association—with PRC law firm Wei Tu—in Guangzhou catering to its clients’ interests involving Greater China. 

The firm provides English and Hong Kong law advice especially in regulatory matters and in restructuring and insolvency mandates.

Key clients of the firm include Futu Lending, Convoy Global Holdings, CSL Securities, PwC, Société Générale, Rabobank and UIL Singapore. 

In the research period the firm was preoccupied providing its clients with regulatory advice, technology company establishment and some strong debt restructuring and insolvency mandates including Shanghai Huaxin Group’s liquidation and a host of individual and Indian mandates. 

Partner Malcolm Kemp, who led the firm’s litigation and financial services (contentious) practice, retired in April 2020. 

Deal highlights

-CECEP COSTIN New Materials Group insolvency

-Shanghai Huaxin Group insolvency

-UIL Hong Kong restructuring 

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Banking 

“They understand what we and our client want them to do and provide the best advice in accordance therewith.”

“Responsive team – the partner is hands on when he needs to be. Generally a team that is very good to work with on general banking matters as well as on ship finance transactions where they have particular expertise.”

“The wording of agreements are very precise, and it's helpful with their opinion.”

Financial services regulatory

“Have a good wealth of experience in this type of work, so their advice is authoritative and little of their time is spent learning things from scratch. They have a deep bench of experienced associates, so costs are well managed, and also ensures deadlines are met. Fee discussions are commercial and transparent.”

“Responsive, helpful and sound business acumen.”

“They are technically strong and experienced in the area and offer useful and practical advice and solutions. They are also responsive and flexible.”

“Engaging and proactive.”

Investment funds

“Very responsive and timely turnaround on requests.  Well considered and thought out comments and suggestions. Documents are well drafted without excessive legal language.”

Restructuring and insolvency

“Can-do attitude and user-friendly; willing to explore and push the limits.”

“SH adopts a practical and effective approach to matters rather than an overly academic one.”

“Very sensible, down to earth, and user-friendly but clear, objective and supportive at the same time.”

“Provides very practical solutions and timely responses.”

“Personal attention. Practical solutions.”

“The lawyers handling the case are helpful and knowledgeable.  They are responsive to all my questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner.  They can always provide highly reliable and quality services.  I am glad to have them in my team so that we can make well informed and strategic decisions quickly.”

“They provided professional advice and a holistic legal strategy for dealing with complicated issues.”

“Provides in-depth analysis and recommended approaches that are practical.”

“The team at Stephenson Harwood knows both shareholders well because of their earlier relationship. Notwithstanding their role was effectively lost, they continue to assist in helping both shareholders and we (as liquidator) to re-build the communication channel and facilitate both parties to assist the liquidator's work in a short-term trading-on of the business and also in the course of selling the company's business. They did this work out of their good initiative.”

“The recent elevation of Eloise and Alex to partnership is reflective of their abilities and certainly well deserved. I have worked with Stephenson Harwood on both contentious insolvency and restructuring matters. I consider both Jamie, Eloise and Alex to be extremely capable and leading practitioners within the HK market. I turn to them when I need assistance as they are responsive, accommodating, easy to communicate with, have the requisite technical skills and more importantly the ability to consider pragmatic commercial solutions.” 

HM Chan & Co is a Hong Kong transactional boutique that formed an association with international firm Taylor Wessing in 2016.  Taylor Wessing has over 1100 across 16 jurisdictions in Asia, Europe and the Middle East including offices in Shanghai and Beijing. 

In Hong Kong, the firm is most active in the equity capital markets, M&A, private equity, venture capital and the regulatory space. 

Key clients of the firm include Southwest Securities, Ballas Capital, Acute Peak Investments, Earn World Enterprises, Music Sales Corporation, Recaro Aircraft Seating International and Chapman Freeborn.

During the research period, the firm handled Hong Kong IPOs and GEM listings, trade sales, private equity acquisitions, share acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and other acquisitions in the technology, aviation, financial services and food and beverage industries. It also assisted its clients in various rounds of funding. 

Deal highlights

-Design Capital HKSE IPO

-Earn World Enterprises HK$210 million acquisition of 70% stake in Earn World Development

-Hevol Services Group HKSE IPO

-Parsons Music acquisition of MusicFirst Junior 

-Shinelong Automotive Lightweight Application HKSE IPO

-Wynnchurch Capital acquisition of America II Group and Advanced MP Group

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Capital markets: Equity

“They are highly experienced, diligent and professional.”

M&A

“A lean team that is responsive and provides effective advice.” 

PRC firm TransAsia Lawyers maintains offices in Beijing and Shanghai and has an associate office in Hong Kong. The firm extends its presence internationally through an alliance in Tokyo and its membership of the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance.

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is recognized for its corporate and M&A and private equity practices.

The firm advises clients such as corporates, private equity funds, venture capital funds and startups on a range of domestic and cross border matters and has a particular focus on the technology, media and telecommunication sectors.

Key clients  

Key clients include Ainemo, Sina, Weibo, XAG, Universal Music Group, Airbnb, and Telstra.

V&T Law Firm is a full-service Beijing-based PRC Law Firm with branch offices in Shenzhen, Shanghai and Chengdu and international offices in Madrid, Manchester and Kolding.

Focusses / specialisms 

Securities law is core to the firm’s business. It provides advice in domestic and overseas IPOs, refinancing, bond issues, M&A and asset reorganisations.

Key clients  

Key clients of the firm include China Vanke, Tus-Holdings, Shanghai Huaming Intelligent Terminal Equipment, Kunming Future City Development and Xingzhen Investment Management.

Weil Gotshal & Manges is a New York-headquartered international law firm with Asia offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. The firm opened its Shanghai office in 2004, advising Chinese and international clients on transactions in mainland China and throughout Asia.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is a California-headquartered international firm founded in 1961. The firm opened an office in Shanghai in 2007, added one in Hong Kong in 2010, and opened another in Beijing in 2012 with approximately 50 bilingual professions to cater to its clients in the Greater China region.

Highlights

The firm's expertise lies in capital markets, where they have established a strong track record of providing valuable advice to clients on listings in both Hong Kong and the US. Over the past year, the firm has actively engaged in offering legal solutions to firms seeking deSPACs.

Their recent deal work includes notable examples such as advising WuXi XDC on a $470 million Hong Kong IPO, Fenbi on a $25.5 million IPO, and Cheche Group on a De-SPAC merger with Prime Impact Acquisition I, followed by a successful listing on Nasdaq. These achievements highlight the firm's ability to navigate complex transactions and deliver exceptional results for their clients in the equity capital markets.

Key Clients

Key clients of the firm include WuXi XDC Cayman, Cheche Technology, Fenbi, QuantaSing Group, Xiamen Yan Palace Bird’s Nest Industry Co.

Established in 1995, Winners Law Firm is engaged in high-end commercial legal services. Winners has offices in Tianjin and Binhai New Area, with 16 professional departments and more than 160 employees including more than 100 practising lawyers.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm focuses on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, restructuring and liquidation.

Key clients

The firm’s clients include China Development Bank, China Exim Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, DBS Bank, China Construction Bank and Bohai Bank.

Research period review: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

The firm represented several companies in their capital markets work such as Tianjin Kaihua Insulation Materials’ IPO and Tianjin Lingang Investment Holding Company’s $41 million foreign bonds issuance.

Key names to note are Haibo Li, the managing partner of the firm, and senior partner Dapeng Fan.

Deal highlights: 33r^d edition (2022/2023)

Tianjin Kaihua Insulation Materials’ IPO.

Tianjin Lingang Investment Holding Company’s $41 million foreign bonds issuance.

WongPartnership is a Singapore-based law firm with over 400 professionals across further offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Yangon. The firm is also a member of the regional law network, WPG, granting it access to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm’s Shanghai office opened in 2004 followed by its Beijing office in 2010. It is best known for corporate matters such as advising Chinese entities on joint ventures and M&A structured through Singapore.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include CapitaLand, Raffles Education Corporation and China Everbright.

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

During the research period the firm kept busy advising on acquisitions, disposals and investments in education and real estate. 

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

-CapitaLand S$11 billion acquisition of Ascendas-Singbridge group of companies

-Liu Yanwen Rmb420 million stake acquisition of Langfang Development Zone Oriental University City Sino-Singapore Education Investment 

-State Alpha S$147 million acquisition of Ying Li International Real Estate

Established in 2016, Zhongjian Law Firm is a Beijing-based law firm. It has a collaboration with UK boutique Rooney Nimmo extending its reach to Hong Kong, US and Singapore. 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is best known for its private equity, trust, asset management, securities, international trade and intellectual property work in sectors such as real estate, banking and insurance. 

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include CITIC Securities, Sinopec, Bank of China, Zhongrong International Trust, Tsinghua University Education Foundation and Shanghai Culture Assets.

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

During the research period the firm kept busy advising on confidential real estate acquisitions, investments and mixed reform projects. In 2019 it handled 60 M&A cases and 15 insurance investment cases.