With an impressive client roster featuring some of the most prominent players in the technology, banking and retail sectors, Fangda Partners maintains its standing as a leader in the area of data protection and cyber security issues, acting on data breach responses, compliance programs, and regulatory proceedings. Kate Yin, who demonstrates notable knowledge in regulatory compliance, with a further focus on cross-border matters relating to anti-corruption, export controls, and internal investigations, leads the practice with a footing in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. In Shanghai, Gil Zhang stands out as a key contact, noted for his ‘full understanding of client’s needs‘ when advising on cybersecurity matters and data compliance programs in a Chinese legislative and GDPR context. Counsel Huihui Li  is experienced in internal compliance checks and assessments of tech-driven products.

Global Law Office leverages its interlinked offering across practice areas to operate as one when handling data protection issues, acting for multinational clients including Samsung, Xiaomi and Volvo on complex compliance projects and regulatory investigations. Beijing-based Maggie Meng, who regularly acts for companies in the e-commerce, fintech, and AI sectors, leads the practice alongside Shanghai-based Vincent Wang who is singled out for his expertise in emerging technologies such as blockchain, e-mobility and cloud computing. Of counsel Jenny Chen is noted for government and internal investigations as well as personal information protection.

Han Kun Law Offices‘ team has a wealth of experience in handling data compliance projects and corporate matters, making the practice a popular choice amongst leading domestic and international corporations looking to expand their presence across multiple jurisdictions. The practice is jointly led by Yan Wang, Kevin Duan, David Tang, Min Zhu, and Michelle Gong. Duan acts on data review matters, assisting companies in their overseas listings, while Zhu is recommended for cybersecurity and data compliance matters. Tang’s ‘knowledge of the local data privacy and protection regulations is second to none‘, which supplements his ability to provide advice on corporate mandates. Associate Kemeng Cai is another notable figure.

Zhong Lun Law Firm covers the full gamut of data and privacy issues; although the team primarily features practitioners with an IP focus, it is active in areas including face recognition, online payments, and cloud computing, with close collaboration across the firm’s broad specialisms resulting in a one-stop-shop for clients. Jointly led by Jihong Chen and Yongjun Ni, with the former demonstrating notable expertise in cybersecurity, personal information protection, and compliance with a telecoms element. Peng Cai handles data security risks, compliance challenges and artificial intelligence technologies, with further focus on data life-cycle processes, and Jeffrey Liu, is recommended for data and privacy issues related to financial products.

AnJie Broad Law Firm stands out as one of the first PRC firms to handle data protection and cybersecurity matters. Accordign to a client, the team has ‘very good technical grasp of the PRC data protection law regime and is very up to date with the latest enforcement trends.’It acts for clients from a broad range of sectors on data transfers, compliance regimes, and data storage. Leading the team is Beijing-based Samuel Yang, highlighted for having ‘outstanding data protection knowledge’. While Yang is primarily recognised for his expertise in the telecoms sector, his practice extends to regulatory, commercial agreements, cybersecurity and e-commerce.

Recognised as a go-to firm for clients in the TMT sector, DaHui Lawyers leverages its broader compliance experience to provide advice on personal privacy and cross-border data transfer requirements. Within the team, founding partner Richard Ma heads the practice with experience advising on regulatory and data compliance matters primarily;  Joanna Jiang advises on data compliance requirements; and associate Dimitri Phillips is active in dispute resolution, compliance and corporate matters.

As a prominent player in the regulatory space, Hui Ye Law Firm has longstanding expertise in the data protection field, with over 10 years of experience advising local and foreign clients on the full spectrum of relevant contentious and non-contentious data protection work. Tianhang Li and Ramon Huang co-head the practice from Shanghai, handling work concerning cybersecurity and data compliance, and network security, respectively. Huang is regularly instructed by high-profile clients including Adidas, JD and Chanel. Junlei Guo joined from Anli Partners in February 2022.

Llinks Law Offices’s compliance practice group is active in cybersecurity, e-marketing, and wider data protection matters, with a prominent presence in the automotive, technological, and pharmaceutical sectors. Practice head David Pan, who is qualified in both China and New York, handles network security, data protection, antitrust, and anti-commercial corruption matters. Xun Yang adds to the firm’s international experience and acts for clients in the TMT, life sciences, and financial services sectors on information security, privacy, intellectual property and unfair competition matters. Nigel Zhu is another name to note.

With a strong footing in a global context thanks to its ties to international firms, TransAsia Lawyers is noted for acting on the data protection aspects of cross-border transactions. The team is sought out by payment service providers as well as clients in the cloud services and automotive industries to advise on data compliance, cross-border data transfers and data storage. Managing partner Philip Qu is the main contact in Beijing, with a broad practice encompassing data matters in relation to M&A and VC investments. Karen Hu joined the firm from Merits & Tree Law Offices in June 2022.

Dacheng Law Offices benefits from its impressive global footprint, allowing it to act for clients such as Tencent, Alibaba and Lenovo on complex data compliance issues. It is also equipped to advise on cross-border data transfers, data asset transactions and data breach contingency plans. Zhangwei Wang heads the team which includes Kaiming Cai and Donghui Ruan. Cai focuses on data protection and cross-border compliance, while Ruan has notabel experience advising on compliance matters for clients in the technology sector.

Haiwen & Partners‘ advises multinational companies and major funds on data compliance issues. It has seen an increase in cybersecurity-related instructions for overseas listings, assisting clients in relevant applications and reviews. Jianyuan Yang, who is noted for cross-border data protection matters as well as the establishment of data protection programs, leads the practice alongside M&A expert Peng Fu, who has a wealth of experience representing clients in the healthcare industry.

HHP Attorneys-At-Law’s cybersecurity and data compliance department, which is a part of the Meritas data protection group, is a popular choice among clients in the consumer goods and services, manufacturing, and automotive industries. The firm is increasingly advising on data breach and compliance matters for e-commerce sector clients. Practice head Yao Rao is a cybersecurity and personal data protection specialist with ‘strong problem-solving abilities‘. Associate Shuaijie Lu is another key contact, with experience addressing data compliance issues for both domestic and foreign clients.

Jingtian & Gongcheng is active in the cybersecurity and data compliance space, regarded for addressing matters in relation to data governance, cross-border flow requirements, and privacy breaches. Zhenhua Xiang heads the practice alongside Yongqing Huang, with notable members including Lizhi Yuan and Yang Zhou.

Shihui Partners primarily advises clients in the TMT sector on data compliance matters. Raymond Wang leads the firm’s compliance business group, having acted for a number of central ministries and commissions on data-related legislation and regulation. The team continues to expand with the hire of Jing Lu who joined from Sidley Austin LLP in January 2022, and a number of individuals in March 2021 including Tian Li from Fangda Partners and Rui Wang from Global Law Office.