The Legal 500

King & Wood Mallesons bolstered its tax practice in 2012 with the arrival of Zhao Yan, formerly a consultant at one of the Big Four. The highly regarded Tony Dong leads the team; he has experience advising multinational corporations and domestic companies on the full range of tax issues, including those relating to risk assessment, tax planning, M&A structuring and corporate restructuring. Recent work includes representing a well-known real estate enterprise in analysing the tax exposures arising out of its corporate restructuring. The team also recently advised a US software company on the tax implications of an acquisition in China, involving a tax due diligence assessment of the target company.

The ‘excellent’ tax team at Jun He Law Offices advises domestic and international clients on pre-investment tax structuring, bilateral tax treaties and Chinese domestic tax law issues arising from their investments. Group head David Liu specialises in PRC tax and bilateral tax-treaty matters, advising clients in industries such as semiconductor manufacture, hi-tech and pharmaceuticals, on issues affecting their investments and business operations in China. Clients praise the ‘risk-assessed, business savvy and down-to-earth advice’. Julie Cheng has notable experience in tax-related dispute resolution.

Run Ming Law Office provides a range of tax services including advice on FDI, M&A transactions, tax due diligence and compliance, and the design and planning of tax structures. Team head Ron Ma has extensive experience representing clients in a range of industries such as retail, logistics, pharmaceuticals, energy, and manufacturing. He also has a notable track record in litigation, arbitration and mediation proceedings.

Allbright Law Offices’ tax practice works closely with the corporate team, advising on tax matters including cross-border direct investment, tax-efficient supply chain management, and tax-related dispute resolution. Kevin Wang leads the group, and recently gave tax-structuring advice to Terex Corporation in connection with the restructuring of its joint venture with Sinomach, a subsidiary of China National Machinery Industry. Shanghai-based Haifeng Yang is also recommended.

Zhong Lun Law Firm’s dedicated tax practice is led by Yongjun Peter Ni, who has significant experience representing multinational corporations and large Chinese companies in sectors including manufacturing, technology, and financial services (particularly investment funds). Ni’s work focuses on market entry and exit strategies, investment structuring and restructuring, M&A transactions, transfer pricing and tax dispute resolution, among other areas.

Haiwen & Partners’ tax work is predominantly in relation to general corporate and M&A matters. The team has experience advising clients including banks, venture capital firms and private equity funds. Fei He is the key contact.