Fangda Partners is recognised as a market leader in the field of private equity, representing global and PRC financial sponsors, venture capitalists, banks and alternative financing providers, and founders of high-growth companies on their private equity investments. The practice is bolstered by the firm’s strength in wider teams, allowing for collaboration with experts in leverage finance, capital markets, fund formation, compliance, and employment law matters. It acts on a full range of transactions, including public, private and cross-border buyouts, debt investments, portfolio secondaries, and co-investments. The practice is headed by Chen Bao from Beijing, who has extensive experience representing leading private equity clients as well as Chinese sellers in M&A transactions. Other notable practitioners include Jeffrey Ding, who has expertise in cross-border acquisitions, public offerings, and joint venture transactions, and Helen Fan, who specialises in private equity and venture capital investment across a range of industries. Meanwhile, Patrick Li is experienced in foreign direct investment matters.

Han Kun Law Offices has a strong reputation in private equity, representing a range of large venture capital and private equity firms, including foreign firms on their investments and fundraising in China. It offers a range of legal services related to private equity, including foreign direct investment, M&A, fund formation and management, and onshore and offshore listings. Yijun Chao, Charles Li and David Li co-lead the Beijing team, all of whom have extensive expertise in public and private financings across a wide variety of industries. Meanwhile, Kelvin Gao leads the Shanghai group, with experience representing leading investment institutions, multinational companies, and unicorn companies. Sheng Li acts for clients across a wide range of industries, including TMT and new energy. Paula Liu and Yipu Li are also notable for their expertise advising on international private equity funds. Shanghai-based Cheng Chen, Yifan Gu and Hong Huang are noted at the associate level.

Global Law Office offers a broad range of private equity financing matters, which includes advising on fund formation, design of investment structures, and assisting in obtaining government approvals, permits and registrations. The practice acts for both domestic and foreign venture capital and private equity funds across a wide range of industries, though it has particular industry sector strength in the TMT, education, healthcare, financial services and culture and entertainment sectors. Steven Yu and Jeffrey Zhu co-lead the practice from Shanghai. Shifang Guo specialises in cross-border M&A and private equity investment, whilst Evan Sun has extensive experience in foreign direct investment and private equity fund formation matters. Managing partner Jinrong Liu has extensive experience in a diverse range of industries acting on high-profile transactions.

Private equity forms a core practice area at Haiwen & Partners, with the team representing a number of key market players, including private equity funds and start-ups, on a range of investment projects. The team also collaborates with wider teams at the firm, including in capital markets, intellectual property, tax, compliance and antitrust, to provide clients with holistic advice. Jiping Zhang leads the team from Beijing. Hao Bian represents high-profile private equity clients. Jiangshan Tang is also notable for his expertise in fund investment matters, whilst Weili Chi specialises in M&A and financial institution-related transactions. Xiajun Fang has significant experience in material assets restructuring matters.

Private equity forms one of the core practices at JunHe LLP, which is reflected in the dedicated team of specialist partners it has. The practice acts for established companies and start up entities on a full range of financing matters in China, though its core areas of practice include acting for private equity funds, institutional investors, and financing companies on M&A and private equity transactions. It also has a growing practice of advising entrepreneurs on the establishment and financing process of new companies. Working closely with the firm’s wider teams in tax and antitrust, the team is also able to offer comprehensive advice to its clients. Binxue Sang and Joe Chen co-lead the Shanghai group, whilst Sammuel Zhao and Zheng Xie co-head the Beijing team.

Shihui Partners has continually proven to show it is a key player in the Chinese private equity market, with particular strength acting on major projects in emerging industries, such as cultural and entertainment, medical and healthcare, internet and TMT sectors. It advises on a range of matters, primarily acting for private equity and venture capital funds, financial institutions, strategic investors, and entrepreneurs in start-up companies. George Niu and Miranda Jiang co-head the Beijing arm of the practice, whilst George Wang leads the Shanghai group. Also notable is founding partner Zan Zhu, who specialises in private equity and venture capital transactions, as does Vicky Gong and Xiaomei Li.

Zhong Lun Law Firm has a strong reputation for its private equity and assets management practice, with the team regularly representing prominent private equity firms and emerging growth companies. It advises on a full scope of private equity transactions, including fund raising, investment, compliance, and management of portfolios. It also has expertise advising on the establishment and tax arrangement of China-focused private equity funds. The leadership team consists of Catherine Chen, Borong Liu, Lefan Gong and Ping Zhang. Victor Yu and Luke Zhang have particular expertise representing investment funds and companies in the TMT sector. Bijun Huang is active in representing start-up companies, whilst Anthony Zhao and associate Xiaorui Yang continue to be key names in the team.

AllBright Law Offices is particularly strong in the field of investment funds and venture capital, regularly acting on fund establishment and management matters. It advises on a broad range of matters for private equity fund managers, including fundraising, foreign investment, and exit and dispute resolution. It is also particularly adept at cross-border projects, and has a growing practice acting for government-sponsored industry funds. Shanghai-based Xianming Li leads the team which also includes Yubin Shi who is noted for his expertise in fund establishment and investment, M&A, restructuring and tax matters.

Commerce & Finance Law Offices acts for financing companies on a broad range of private equity transactions. It also has specific expertise in investment matters acting for fund managers, including on angel, VC and PE, pre-IPO, and strategic investments. Lingyun Dai has significant expertise in venture capital and private equity financing matters, with experience acting for USD funds, RMB funds, and start-up companies. Xinyang Zhang specialises in China’s new economy industry, which includes e-commerce, AI, big data, and cloud computing, whilst Meng Zhang’s practice focuses on private equity financing, with additional expertise in M&A and investment by foreign investors.

With a growing private equity practice in recent years, DaHui Lawyers now acts for both domestic and foreign investors of all sizes. It acts on a full scope of private equity and fund operations, from establishment and investment to capital restructurings. Practice head Brendon Wu has a particular specialism in the TMT and education industries. Richard Ma has a strong reputation acting on corporate and financing matters for cutting-edge companies and traditional enterprises, whilst Zheng Zha has additional expertise in equity financing of private companies.

Offering comprehensive legal services to a range of financial institutions, private equity, and venture capital investors, Jingtian & Gongcheng has an impressive private equity practice. Its main areas of expertise include restructuring pre-private equity investment and private equity financing, from angel rounds to pre-IPO funding, for both domestic and foreign companies. The team is led by Yongqing Huang from Beijing. Zhengzheng Hu has significant experience acting for foreign private equity funds, whilst Guanchun Dai has specific expertise in transaction structuring, investment and business models of TMT industry.

Llinks Law Offices represents a wide variety of clients on their fund formation and raising projects, including angel investors, venture capital and private equity funds, governmental guidance funds, and domestic and international entrepreneurs. Nicholas Lou heads the team from Shanghai, specialising in domestic and foreign private equity fund investments. Selena She and Colin Shi are notable for their expertise advising clients across a wide range of industries, with She providing additional experience advising Fortune 500 companies on their investments in China.

Dentons China advises both domestic and international institutional investors on a range of matters, including the establishment of RMB funds, successor funds, and buyout funds. It also has a strong practice of acting for start-up companies and government-type funds. Xugang Yu and Renwen Geng co-lead the practice from Beijing and Nanjing, respectively. Peter Wang has particular expertise in cross-border transactions and PE investments, whilst Shoushuang Li has significant experience in fund formation.

Jincheng Tongda & Neal represents a wide variety of clients in private equity transactions, including independent private equity firms, sponsors, and financing sources. It offers a broad range of services, including fund structuring with foreign investments, fundraising and portfolio company investment. Lingyan Peng heads the group, specialising in FDI, cross-border M&A, venture capital and private equity investment, and bond offering matters. Chengchen Gan focuses on advising clients in the emerging technology, commercial real estate, retail and franchise, and internet and media industries.

Merits & Tree Law Offices is well regarded for its private equity and venture capital department, which has seen continuous growth in recent years. It has particular strength acting in the TMT, life science and healthcare, and high-tech sectors, acting for major investment funds, as well as start-ups and strategic investors. The team is co-headed by Beijing-based Youyuan Jin, who has rich experience in private equity investment and financing transactions, alongside Qinghong Cai.

Tian Yuan Law Firm is active across a broad range of private equity investment markets, with particular expertise in China’s new economy industries, including healthcare, TMT, internet finance, entertainment and block chain. It primarily acts for private equity and venture capital institutions, industrial investment institutions, and new enterprises. Jiayun Xie leads the team from Beijing, focusing on assisting investment institutions and start-up enterprises on private placement financing matters.

DeHeng Law Offices advises across a range of matters, acting primarily for A-share and overseas listed companies, as well as OTC market companies. Weifeng Guo and Lei Zhang co-lead the team from Beijing and Shanghai, respectively. Guo has significant expertise advising private equity institutions on legal structure design, fundraising and establishment matters. Fang Wen is noted for her experience acting on both domestic and overseas equity investment projects.

Grandall Law Firm is active in the private equity sphere, advising private equity firms on a variety of transactions. Naijin Liu has specific experience advising PE fund platforms established by central enterprises. Meanwhile, Jing Zou has significant expertise in handling PE placements and the establishment of both RMB and foreign funds.

Guantao Law Firm advises on a full range of private equity and venture capital transactions, including on government-guided funds, major offshore funds, start-up financing projects, and cross-border investment projects. Practice head Yang Wang has rich expertise in assisting fund clients in equity investment projects, and serves clients from a diverse range of industries, including emerging industries such as high-tech manufacturing, new energy, and AI.