Data protection: PRC firms in China

One of China’s premier domestic firms, Fangda Partners has quickly developed extensive expertise in all areas of data protection and cyber security, allowing it to provide a full service to its client base of multinational, state-owned, and domestic private companies. The group stands out for the diversity of its practice; in addition to advising on large compliance projects, the team also assists with data breach responses, regulatory investigations and criminal proceedings. Kate Yin, who advises on export controls, anti-corruption and multilateral bank sanctions in addition to data,  leads the practice, which operates across the Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong offices. Gil Zhang‘s growing reputation in global GDPR compliance projects was reflected in his promotion to partner in April 2021.

Global Law Office‘s team operates on a cross practice basis, and as such is able to offer expertise in a broad range of data-related issues. The group’s client base includes international household names in the tech sector such as Microsoft and HP, which the team advises on complex compliance projects in addition to regulatory investigations. Maggie Meng leads the Beijing team and uses her previous experience working in-house to advise clients in the TMT sector, as well as banks and insurance companies. In Shanghai, Vincent Wang assists with data issues as part of a wide-ranging practice focusing on emerging technologies.

Han Kun Law Offices‘ data practice is amongst the most complete on the market, advising both large domestic firms and international household names on all data aspects of their operation in China. Typical work includes internal compliance projects and corporate support, in addition to assisting companies that are subject to investigation by regulators. The firm also has experience in assisting multinational clients with navigating overseas data regimes including GDPR, BIPA and CCPA. Min Zhu is one of the key practitioners and has particular experience in the healthcare and life science industries, while Yan Wang and Zhichao (Kevin) Duan complement their data practices with a specialism in IP.

Zhong Lun Law Firm is consulted by large multinationals and domestic companies to advise on the complete spectrum of data issues, from internal compliance assessments to emergency data breach responses. Though primarily comprising of IP lawyers, the group operates on a cross-practice basis and is able to call on partners with various specialisms; Peng Cai, a TMT and IP specialist, is one of the team’s key partners and frequently works with state-owned enterprises on compliance projects, while Xinyu Liu (a partner in the private equity and investment funds departments) assists with data due diligence necessary for corporate transactions. Jihong Chen and Yongjun Ni lead the IP department and assist with various data-related matters.

AnJie Law Firm has been advising clients on data issues since Chinese regulations were in their nonage, and the firm continues to handle a wide variety of work on behalf of high-profile clients from numerous sectors. Typical services include compliance regimes, cross-border data transfers, protection of business secrets and the handling of personal data. Samuel Yang, in addition to leading the practice, is one of the market’s premier names in the field of telecoms; data protection forms a key part of his practice as he assists domestic and international clients such as DHL and AT&T on regulatory issues, data protection compliance regimes and commercial agreements.

Anli Partners’ data practice sits within its TMT department and works with large domestic, state-owned and overseas clients on complex compliance projects, international data transfers and personal privacy procedures. Though many of the firm’s clients come from the TMT sector, the team also works with clients from other sectors such as hospitality, healthcare and energy. Former practice head Raymond Wang departed to Shihui Partners in November 2021.

DaHui Lawyers‘ data practice has developed from its pre-existing expertise in technology and telecoms sectors, and assists its clients with ensuring compliance with Chinese regulations and personal privacy issues. The group’s expertise in telecoms is demonstrated by its relationship with Comcast, which it advises on various issues relating to its Chinese operations. Founding partner Richard Ma  heads up the department; splitting his time between the Shanghai and Beijing offices, Ma also leads the TMT and M&A practices, making him the ideal practitioner to advise on the data aspect of corporate transactions. Joanna Jiang is another name to note and focuses on the telecoms, media, entertainment and healthcare industries.

Hui Ye Law Firm  has over a decade of experience advising on Chinese data regulations, and is capable of assisting domestic and international clients with the full spectrum of issues from implementing initial compliance procedures through to regulatory investigations and dispute resolution. Tianhang Li  and Ramon Huang  lead the Shanghai-based department; the former combines data expertise with experience in anti-fraud investigations and criminal defence, while the latter focuses primarily on network security and data compliance projects, working with high profile clients from various industries such as Alibaba, Toyota and Adidas.

Llinks Law Offices‘ specialist data team, which sits within the corporate department, works with well-known clients from the automotive, tech and pharmaceutical sectors on all aspects of data protection, cybersecurity and e-marketing matters. David Pan leads the team; dual-qualified in New York and China, Pan is able to assist multinational clients with international compliance programmes and data transfer agreements. Xun Yang also has international expertise, having previously worked at a magic circle firm, and operates a broad practice that spans corporate and IP matters in addition to data protection.

As part of the firm’s international office network, Dentons China often works alongside overseas colleagues to assist multinational clients with data compliance regimes and international data transfers. Data specialist Kevin Cai leads the practice; Cai works with clients including ZTE, Alibaba and Tencent and combines his data practice with market-leading expertise in export controls and economic sanctions, particularly with regards to US-Chins relations.

Haiwen & Partners has an impressive client portfolio, comprising of large multinational companies from the automotive, hospitality and insurance industries, as well as funds, which the department aids with data compliance projects.  Peng Fu, primarily an M&A lawyer, uses his additional expertise in IP to assist with data protection issues in the healthcare and TMT sectors. Jianyuan Yang advises on a broad range of data issues, including data breach responses and investigations by government regulators.

HHP Attorneys-At-Law has demonstrable capability in all key areas of data protection, assisting with compliance projects, data breach responses, internal training and privacy policies. Through the course of 2020, the firm has been particularly busy helping clients secure and update their e-commerce offerings. Managing partner Yao Rao is the go-to practitioner, and handles data protection as part of a broad regulatory compliance practice that focuses on working with multinational companies in regulated industries such as healthcare, mining and construction.

Jingtian & Gongcheng is very capable in compliance projects and work with clients from the finance, healthcare, education and logistics sectors to ensure adherence with the latest developments in Chinese data regulations, as well as overseas regimes such as GDPR. Lizhi Yuan leads the practice and focuses solely on data protection work, though the group is also able to call upon the services of other partners in the dispute resolution and corporate departments.

Yuanda China Law Offices has a capable data offering, with many of members of the team having previously worked in data-heavy industries such as network engineering. Leveraging the firm’s strategic cooperation agreement with Winston & Strawn, cross-border compliance projects are a speciality; the firm also works with a number of US and European companies on their operations in China. Carol Sun leads the team and works with TMT clients on cross-border data transfer assessment and national security issues. Leon Liu advises on white-collar and anti-corruption investigations in addition to data compliance.