Global Law Office > Shanghai, China > Firm Profile

Global Law Office > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Banking and finance: PRC firms Tier 1

Global Law Office is distinguishable by its full service offering in relation to onshore, offshore and cross-border financing work, advising a roster of high-profile clients on acquisition financing and project financing, while also demonstrating expertise in the establishment of loan facilities. Beijing-based Lawrence Lin and Xin Zhang co-head the team; while Lin has particular expertise in aircraft and shipping finance, Zhang’s practice revolves around advising financing transactions in the energy, power, real estate and natural resources sectors. Also noted for aircraft and shipping finance is May Liu, while Minghao Xu is recommended for financing matters relating to trusts. As managing partner of the firm’s Chengdu office, Kunlin Wang handles a variety of work in the space. Lujun Hou who excels in export credit, project financing, syndicated loans, and trade financing, joined the firm’s Shenzhen team from Zhong Lun Law Firm in July 2021.

China > Data protection: PRC firms Tier 1

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.

China > Life sciences and healthcare: PRC firms Tier 1

The dedicated life science and healthcare team at Global Law Office is rated for its ‘strong and longstanding reputation in the market’ and its full-service offering, which includes M&A, investment transactions, licensing matters, IP, regulatory compliance and litigation. In addition to acting for high-profile pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, the practice is often sought after by industry associations and government bodies to assist with policy and regulatory matters. The team is jointly led by ‘distinguished partner’ Alan Zhou, who has extensive experience in advising on private equity and venture capital transactions, and M&A and foreign investment specialist Michael Yu, from Shanghai and Beijing, respectively. Jerry Liumatters focuses on corporate and cross-border M&A matters while Charlene Huang is a key contact for licence deals and outbound and inbound investment. Coco Fan and Jacky Li are recommended for regulatory compliance and antitrust investigations.

China > Projects and energy: PRC firms Tier 1

Global Law Office‘s array of experienced partners represent a number of PRC gas giants, trans-national mining companies and municipal governments. Zhongcheng Wang has extensive experience of the projects and energy field and has notably been consulted on the Xiong’an New Area sustainable development. This government project aims to set the trend for environmentally friendly urban development in China. Other leading figures of the practice include Miller Wang, Shifang Guo and energy investment and financing specialist Xin Zhang. Liya Peng of the Chengdu office is building a strong reputation working with large clients in the pharmaceutical and electronics manufacturing industries and has developed the firm’s presence in western China.

China > TMT: PRC firms Tier 1

The TMT practice at Global Law Office offers full-scope services covering both contentious and non-contentious matters, which includes public offering of shares, private equity investment, debt financing, IP licensing, and data protection. It is also experienced in acting on offshore and cross-border transactions across a wide spectrum of TMT subsectors. The team is co-led by Jinrong Liu and Meph Jia Gui from Beijing, and Steven Yu and Vincent Wang from Shanghai. Liu specialises in PE, M&A, capital markets, anti-trust and taxation matters for both Chinese and international companies, whilst Gui has significant experience advising on various IP matters. Yu provides additional expertise in advising multinational corporations on their China subsidiaries’ corporate and regulatory matters, whilst Wang’s practice covers new and emerging technologies. Maggie Meng is also notable for expertise in fintech and data privacy and regulatory matters.

China > WTO/international trade: PRC firms Tier 1

Covering sanctions and compliance, WTO disputes, anti-dumping and countervailing, export controls and investigations defence, Global Law Office offers clients a comprehensive international trade practice. Qing Ren has considerable experience in sanctions and compliance, and has recently been advising clients on the effects of the Ukraine crisis. His clients include the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and several large banks. Deming Zhao came to the firm through a merger with specialist trade law firm HaoLiWen Partners and has enhanced the international trade practice with his extensive knowledge of the field. Anti-dumping, countervailing, safeguards and disputes specialist Frank Hang, described as ‘a walking encyclopaedia of trade laws‘, is highly recommended by clients. This accomplished trio regularly advise both massive state-owned companies in China and well-known multinationals. The firm’s investigations defence work has been particularly strong.

China > Antitrust and competition: PRC firms Tier 2

With the introduction of new anti-monopoly regulations, Global Law Office is particularly active in handling high-profile litigation before the highest people’s courts. The full-service antitrust and competition team is led jointly by three experienced partners: Qing Ren splits his time advising on international trade and competition matters; Ying Mu stands out for her previous experience as a judge and her knowledge of antitrust law and contractual disputes is a serious asset for her clients; and Shujun Liu, who has extensive experience in merger filings and compliance matters, is praised as ‘outstanding in her diligence‘.

China > Capital markets: PRC firms Tier 2

The capital markets team at Global Law Office offers a broad range of expertise, advising underwriters and issuers in both debt and equity capital markets, including on domestic and international IPOs and bonds, securitisation, and structured finance matters. Its expertise spans a range of industries, including TMT, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and infrastructure. The practice is co-led by Jinrong Liu, Xin Zhang, Wei Qin and Wen Li from Beijing, Yu Zhang from Shanghai, and Cheng Li from Shenzen. Minglang Wang has expertise in domestic and overseas bond and debt issuances, whilst Haishan Sun is notable for his experience in international stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

China > Corporate and M&A: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office is adept at advising on the full spectrum of Chinese M&A, and is particularly active in advising on public M&A across sectors including TMT, biotech and real estate. The group is led by Jinrong Liu and Alex Liu in Beijing alongside Shifang Guo in Shenzhen; Jinrong Liu’s experience in public markets includes handling equity and debt offerings as well as cross-border transactions, while Alex Liu offers expertise across take-privates and restructurings of companies using VIE structures. Guo has recently been instructed on a number of outbound investments by Chinese clients.

China > Dispute resolution: Arbitration: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office offers a strong arbitration practice, with particular expertise advising multinational and financial entities. It is also experienced with both domestic and international arbitration centres, with a number of the team also sitting as arbitrators on CIETAC, CMAC, BIAC, SIAC and HKIAC. The group is co-led by Jiuguang Zhao and Zhao Li, both of whom have extensive experience in the field of dispute resolution. Key names to note include Yifeng Gao, who specialises in international arbitration, and Xiusong Xing, who has an extremely busy domestic and international arbitration practice. Recent partner Heng Wang primarily acts for clients in the investment, energy, and manufacturing industries, whilst Jack Law is dual qualified in New York and PRC.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office’s litigation offering is well regarded in the Chinese market, with the team advising on a broad range of contentious commercial matters, though it has particular expertise in asset management and securities disputes. It primarily acts for MNCs and financial enterprises, including international trust enterprises. Jiuguang Zhao and Zhao Li co-head the department from Beijing, both of whom have experience acting at all court levels, including the Supreme People’s Court. Yifeng Gao specialises in foreign-related cases and has experience in international court litigations, whilst Weiwei Gu has rich expertise in dispute resolution, compliance, antitrust and employment-related matters.

China > Fintech: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office handles contentious and non-contentious matters including high-value financing, private equity and venture capital investment, with further expertise in matters involving face recognition, e-payments and virtual currency. It recently advised CMB International, CCB International and YONXI Securities in an offering of senior notes amounting to $150m, extending to their listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The team is jointly led between Maggie Meng and Meph Jia Gui in Beijing and Vincent Wang and Steven Yu in Shanghai. Meng, who is a data protection and privacy expert, is particularly regarded for her regulatory advice across the TMT sector; Wang’s practice focuses on emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cloud computing; Yu is further noted for investments in China-based TMT companies by private equity and VC funds at a domestic and foreign level, as well as regulatory, licensing and compliance issues.

China > Intellectual property: PRC firms

With ‘a high level of business sense and a good understanding of the Chinese legal market‘, Global Law Office‘s IP practice covers both contentious and non-contentious legal work across a broad spectrum of IP areas. Examples includes patents, trade marks, copyright, trade secrets, domain names and e-commerce, along with plant varieties, unfair competition, and IP-related antitrust matters. Managing partner Jinrong Liu leads the IP practice, which showcases Meph Jia Gui, who is admitted to practice in both China and California; and Degang Ma, who predominantly specialises in patent litigation, as well as non-contentious IP legal services. Other key practitioners include IP dispute resolution expert Ping Qiao; ‘highly organised‘ patent, copyright and trade mark litigation specialist Jack Li; Ying Mu, who assists with IP portfolio management work, contentious IP, and unfair competition disputes; and Yonghua Zhang, an expert in patents and trade secrets.

China > Investment funds: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office advises on fund formation for clients in various sectors, including semiconductors, pharmaceutical, mining and new energy. The practice also represents some of China’s largest insurance companies as well as multinational real estate investment firms. Yuan Yuan, who focusses on structuring and forming private funds, and Amy Dai co-lead the practice. Dai advises RMB funds, USD funds and joint venture fund with various structures including QFLP, QFGP and funds of funds. Xianlai Liu, who demonstrates extensive knowledge of the Chinese private equity and venture capital markets, is another key name.

China > Labour and employment: PRC firms Tier 2

Led in Beijing by former judge Zhao Li, who specialises in terminations and labour dispute resolution, and in Shanghai by labour negotiation and dispute prevention specialist Weiwei Gu, Global Law Office‘s employment team offers a full range of labour law services to its corporate client base. The team advises on non-contentious matters including mass lay-offs as well as employment disputes; the latter including terminations which involve infringements of copyright and the right to reputation. Shujun Liu specifically represents Japanese companies operating in China and Chinese enterprises who operate in Japan; a uniquely tailored feature of the practice. Dingding Li is a dispute resolution specialist, working on terminations, incentive plans, training periods and non-compete clauses.

China > Private equity: PRC firms Tier 2

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.

China > Real estate and construction: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office excels in project development and operation, M&A and disputes in the real estate space; it also acts for multinational clients and major Chinese developers in construction matters. Huawei Lin and Zhongcheng Wang are recommended for real estate mandates. Lin advises key clients including Blackstone on real estate M&A, private equity, structured financing, fund/trust formation and general corporate matters. Wang has a particular specialism in new materials and clean energy matters. Miller Wang specialises in construction projects, while managing partner of the Shenzen office Cheng Li focuses on capital markets, M&A and private equity investment in the real estate sector.

China > Regulatory/compliance: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office advises across the full spectrum of regulatory needs for a range of clients, which includes businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, and both governmental and non-governmental organisations. The team also has strong expertise in relation to the life science, healthcare and pharmacy sector. Alan Zhou and Weiwei Gu co-lead the team from Shanghai. Zhou has extensive experience in corporate investigations, anti-corruption, and regulatory compliance matters, whilst Gu focuses on regulatory compliance, risk control and dispute resolution matters, with a particular focus handling anti-bribery administrative investigation cases. Jacky Li is also noted for his expertise in advising on internal and government investigations, whilst Maggie Meng specialises in cybersecurity, data protection and regulatory compliance.

China > Insurance: PRC firms Tier 3

Noted for its considerable expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters, the insurance team at Global Law Office collaborates with a range of practice groups within the firm, including litigation, real estate, capital markets, and M&A, among others, to handle financing transactions, equity transfers, restructurings, coverage disputes and settlements. Yifeng Gao and Jingye Jiang have extensive experience in litigation and arbitration. Huawei Lin  is especially sought after to advise foreign clients on M&A and financing transactions. From Chengdu, Feng Sheng handles wealth management matters and tax issues. In Shanghai, Amy Dai is recommended for fund formation matters and PE and VC investment while Tim Yimin Liu and Ken Huang focus on dispute resolution.

China > Private wealth: PRC firms Tier 3

With its international expertise, Global Law Office is particularly adept at handling cross-border tax issues for high-net-worth individuals. More broadly, the practice advises on matrimonial and inheritance disputes, as well as property distribution planning, family trust and insurance planning and inheritance matters. Feng Sheng co-leads the practice, specialising in wealth management and private client tax planning, alongside Jerry Liu and Jun Qian who are both experienced in investment-related matters and dispute resolution.

China > Restructuring and insolvency: PRC firms Tier 3

With offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, Global Law Office is geared to deal with insolvency cases across China. In addition to acting as appointed administrator, the practice is frequently sought after to represent financial institutions and creditors in contentious and non-contentious restructurings and reorganisation plans. From Beijing, Jiuguang Zhao assists listed companies, state-owned enterprises, banks and trust companies with liquidation and dissolution matters alongside Yunjian Hou. In Shanghai, Weiwei Gu focuses on dispute resolution, compliance matters and reorganisations. Also recommended is Shenzhen-based M&A and reorganisation specialist Eric Chen.

China > Shipping: PRC firms Tier 3

Global Law Office advises clients on a range of shipping matters including ship arrest, international maritime arbitration and charter party disputes, among other areas. Yifeng Gao, Jingye Jiang and Ting Lei jointly lead the practice. Gao has acted for clients on numerous international arbitration cases in a career spanning more than 20 years and the team acts for domestic and foreign shipping companies, P&I clubs, insurance companies, import/export companies, project contractors and manufacturers.

China > Regional coverage: Sichuan Province: Chengdu including Chongqing