The Legal 500

Within Beijing, Global Law Office is a first tier firm,

Global Law Office’s head office is in Beijing, with branch offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Xin Zhang advised ADB in connection with China WindPower’s financing for future wind farm projects; represented IFC in relation to Epure International’s financing for waste treatment waters in China; and assisted BNP China and SCB China in relation to Trafigura’s RMB490m uncommitted revolving commodity-based financing. The ‘always reliable’ Lawrence Lin represented China Development Bank Corporation with regards to USD foreign exchange facilities for two PRC companies’ construction investments in Indonesia. Lin also acted for Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) in a $150m facility to BVI company Sinopro Enterprise in relation to its acquisition of equity interests in PRC JVCs, and advised Deutsche Bank’s Hong Kong Branch in a $260m pre-IPO financing facility to Karvin in connection with its acquisition of the whole equity interests of a PRC company. Huawei Lin acted for Standard Chartered and Citic Capital in the financing of the acquisition of a real estate project by a PRC developer. Miller Wang advised CCB Financial Leasing Corporation in an RMB1bn financial leasing with Chongqing CECIC Sanfeng Energy.

Within Shanghai Leading individuals: local firms

Within Beijing, Global Law Office is a second tier firm,

Global Law Office recently opened its Shenzhen office, engaging five senior IPO and M&A lawyers. Jinrong Liu advised O-Net Communications (Group) and Yuanyi Group Holdings on their Hong Kong IPOs. The firm advised China Health Labs & Diagnostics in the listing of its shares on Toronto Stock Exchange. Also of interest, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital, and were assisted on the listing of Next Generation TV on New York Stock Exchange. George Niu advised China International Capital Corporation, being the sponsor and lead underwriter to the IPO of a leading PRC city planning and designing company, and its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Within Shanghai, Global Law Office is a third tier firm,

Global Law Office’s services include international and domestic IPO and listing, offering and listing of fixed-income products, enterprise bonds, corporate bonds and convertible bonds, as well as securities investments funds. It recently acted for China Shengda Packaging Group on its IPO at NASDAQ, and is representing Xianghe Dairy Products on its Hong Kong IPO. It is acting for Zhejiang Fulida Co. and 10 other companies in relation to a share IPO in PRC. Yu Zhang and George Wang are recommended.

Within Beijing, Global Law Office is a second tier firm,

Mergers and acquisitions and private equity expert Michael Yu rejoined Global Law Office’s partnership in 2011 from international firm Norton Rose LLP. The firm also opened a Shenzhen office with five senior IPO and M&A lawyers. Huawei LIN acted for Warburg Pincus in the restructuring of a pre-IPO investment in Sunshine 100, and assisted Standard Chartered with a $350m investment in an offshore SPV, related to an onshore real estate development project; The ‘impressive lawyer’ David Fu advised Sanofi-aventis on general corporate matters in China, and acted for Nokia on the restructuring of PRC joint ventures and spin-off of certain businesses in China. Jinrong Liu advised Sewco on its acquisition of a majority equity interest in Tycoon Beverage Group, and acted for China Resources Medications Group on its acquisition of equity interest in Beijing Pharmaceutical Group. Liu also represented New Horizon Capital, CITIC PE and Beijing State-owned Capital Management Center on an equity investment in Beijing Wangfujing International Commercial Development, which owns PRC A-share listed company, Beijing Wangfujing Department Store (Group) Stock.

Within Shanghai Leading individuals: local firms

Within Beijing, Global Law Office is a first tier firm,

Global Law Office represents a wide range of foreign clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings against China-based companies, as well as acting for domestic companies in cross-border disputes. The practice has a particular focus on shipping, but also advises on construction and labour disputes. The vastly experienced Yifeng Gao is defending two Korean-based Samsung companies before the Supreme People’s Court in a $450m claim by a Hong Kong company and UK registered entity arising out of the collision of vessels in Korean seas. Lei Niu is acting for joint claimants in five international arbitration cases in London with a combined value of over €20m, against five European ship owners regarding shipbuilding contracts. Steve Kou is acting for a number of clients in CIETEC and ICC arbitrations. Nokia China is also a client.

Within Shanghai, Global Law Office is a third tier firm,

Global Law Office has a team of four full-time specialists who practice foreign and domestic court litigation and arbitration, as well as mediation and alternative dispute resolution. The firm’s track record includes precedent-setting matters such as the first arbitration case in Stockholm, when it represented a joint venture company based in Guangdong before the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. The firm’s shipping background adds another string to the bow of this growing practice, as does its strong quota of pharmaceutical clients. George Wang is recommended.

Within Beijing, Global Law Office is a second tier firm,

At Global Law Office, China and US-qualified Huanzhong Chen has been busy advising on patent and trade mark infringements, as well as acting in litigation concerning trade secrets and unfair competition. Arbitration and litigation specialist Xiusong Xing acted as arbitrator under the SCC (Stockholm Chamber of Commerce) rules for a publicly listed SOE regarding disputes under a Technology License Agreement with a US company. Other IP clients have included IBM and Yahoo!.

Within Legal market overview,

Movement continues between international and domestic firms in mainland China. Former Beijing Lovells partner Robert Lewis went to Allbright Law Offices in 2010, but has since joined Beijing’s Zhong Lun Law Firm; and Michael Yu left Global Law Office for Norton Rose LLP in 2010, but rejoined Global Law Office in 2011.

Within Beijing, Global Law Office is a second tier firm,

Global Law Office’s Xin Zhang is highly praised by clients. Zhang advised AES in the acquisition of five hydroelectric plants located in Sichuan and Chongqing from Chongqing Energy Investment Group. Wang Zhongcheng acted in relation to Sinochem Oil’s fuel depots construction projects and acquisitions in provinces such as Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Liaoning. The practice also advised in connection with the construction of the new secondary Beijing airport. Cheong Ming Investments and Sinobo Land Holding are also clients.