Global Law Office > Beijing, China > Firm Profile

Global Law Office > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Banking and finance: PRC firms Tier 1

Global Law Office provides a full-service offering in the banking and finance field, covering onshore, offshore and cross-border financing work, as well as all types of banking products. Lawrence Lin specialises in acquisition finance, project finance, international syndication, and aircraft and shipping finance; he has ample experience in advising on projects for large SOEs, private enterprises and multinational corporations in a variety of industries. Lin leads the practice alongside Xin Zhang, who focuses on providing legal services for Chinese and international banks and investors, particularly in the finance, energy, real estate and natural resources sectors. Of counsel Yalin Li has experience spanning syndicated loans, project finance, export credit and cross-border loans.

China > Life sciences and healthcare: PRC firms Tier 1

Global Law Office‘s healthcare and life sciences team aims to provide a “one-stop” service for clients in the sector, handling M&A, investment and funding, licensing, day-to-day operational matters, IP protection, and compliance advice. The firm assists major MNCs in this capacity – including GSK, Roche and Amgen – as well as PRC state-owned enterprises. The practice is led jointly by Alan Zhou, a specialist in private equity and venture capital funds in the life sciences and medical technology field, and M&A and foreign direct investment specialist Michael Yu. Jerry Liu is also integral, with experience acting for investors as well as directly for biopharmaceutical companies. Licensing and collaboration agreements expert Charlene Huang, healthcare compliance specialist Coco Fan and certified fraud examiner Jacky Li are further key cogs in the team, as is associate Stephanie Wang.

China > Projects and energy: PRC firms Tier 1

Notably standing out for its significant construction sector credentials, Global Law Office‘s full-service practice encompasses project-related design issues, financing, tendering, building stages, and completion. It is also routinely engaged to advise on project development and operational issues, M&A deals and project-related disputes. Among the firm’s several active practitioners, Zhongcheng Wang is highly experienced in real estate, construction, infrastructure and energy projects; Miller Wang and Xin Zhang are finance specialists; and Shifang Guo is a cross-border project investment expert. Other key figures are hospitality dispute resolution practitioner Yue Wang; Xiaofeng Tang, a domestic project investment and disputes lawyer; Catherine Song, whose sector expertise covers real estate, logistics, warehousing and commercial retail; Minghao Xu, who focuses on real estate, construction projects and financing; and Liya Peng, an adviser on project finance and bond issuances. Fanqin Meng and Chuan Wang are the of counsels to note.

China > Real estate and construction: PRC firms Tier 1

The real estate and construction practice at Global Law Office acts for a wide range of international and domestic clientele, combining its knowledge of project development and operation, M&A, and dispute resolution to advise on all areas of real estate and construction. The team represents contractors, owners, and other entities on their construction issues, including both contentious and non-contentious matters. A standout area for the practice is commercial real estate, in particular the hospitality industry. Huawei Lin represents clients such as Blackstone and Warburg Pincus on their real estate investments and onshore platforms in China, while Zhongcheng Wang works across real estate, project construction, infrastructure, and energy projects. Yue Wang focuses on hospitality, advising on numerous hotel projects for international brands, Miller Wang takes charge of domestic corporate infrastructure projects, and Minghao Xu handles real estate M&A as well as construction projects within China. The five aforementioned lawyers all co-lead the practice. Shiping Zuo and Tim Yimin Liu are also noted.

China > TMT: PRC firms Tier 1

Global Law Office assists clients with contentious issues ranging from dispute resolution to IP infringement investigations, as well as non-contentious matters like public share offerings, PE/VC investments, IP licenses, and cybersecurity. The practice is under the joint leadership of managing partner Jinrong Liu, with a rich background in M&A, anti-trust, taxation, and e-commerce; Steven Yu, who excels in representing both international and domestic giants in their TMT investments in China; Vincent Wang, an expert of emerging tech, cyber security, and data regulation; and intellectual property specialist Meph Jia Gui, adept at representing multinationals in copyright, licensing, and related matters. Maggie Meng further enhances the team with her deep experience in TMT, particularly in the realms of data protection, privacy, and regulatory affairs.

China > WTO/international trade: PRC firms Tier 1

Delivering 'in-depth and unique insights', Global Law Office advises on the gamut of international trade work, including WTO disputes, anti-dumping and countervailing, export control, and economic sanctions. Other notable areas include trade transfer pricing, foreign exchange payment compliance, trade sales agreements, supply chain models, and customs regulatory compliance. The team also acts in governmental investigations, and the litigation and arbitration of trade-related disputes. The group is co-led by Deming Zhao, who acts for multinational companies in relation to transfer pricing, tariff classifications, country of origin issues, customs surveys and inspections, and import and export licenses; the 'very collaborative and responsive' Qing Ren , who is experienced in export control, economic sanctions, and WTO/FTA agreements; and longstanding international trade specialist Frank Hang. Other key partners are Keyou Wang, a 2022 hire from Goldman Sachs Gao Hua Securities; customs law expert Parry Hemin Zhou; and Shen Yun, who 'has a solid background'.

China > Antitrust and competition: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office’s antitrust and competition practice has notable experience in merger control filings, antitrust investigations, and managing antitrust risks. It has experience in representing clients from a wide range of industry sectors, including internet, automobile, medicine, engineering, and food. The practice is jointly led by Qing Ren, Shujun Liu, Ying Mu, and Weiwei Gu. The highly experienced Ren worked in the Ministry of Commerce of China in 2005 and has almost twenty years of experience in merger control filings, antitrust investigations, and antitrust risk management. Liu’s practice focuses on Japanese enterprises in China and Chinese enterprises in Japan. Mu is an expert in intellectual property, while Gu has extensive experience in antitrust investigations and compliance.

China > Capital markets: PRC firms Tier 2

The Global Law Office capital markets practice is experienced in advising issuers and underwriters concerning both debt and equity capital markets, with a client base that includes international investment banks, multinationals and leading Chinese companies. The team has expertise in a wide range of industries, from TMT, manufacturing, automotive and pharmaceuticals to retail, shipping and infrastructure. The sizeable team, which is based in offices across China, is headed by Jinrong Liu, Xin Zhang, Wei Qin and Wen Li in Beijing, Cheng Li in Shenzhen, and Yu Zhang in Shanghai. Other key names include Haishan Sun, who has notable experience in IPOs on international stock exchanges.

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

Global Law Office is recommended for advising on cross-border transactions that involve SOEs, and public companies which are listed in both Chinese and a range of international jurisdictions. The practice is jointly led by Jinrong Liu, who is greatly experienced in advising listed companies in highly complex acquisitions, Alex Liu, an expert in reorganisation and privatisation of A-share and H-share companies, and Huawei Lin who focuses on manufacturing, real estate, and securities industries, and counts Tencent, Blackstone, and Primavera Capital as his main clients.

China > Data protection: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office continues to offer clients varied data protection services such as compliance and regulatory, data mapping and audits, data security and investigations, as well as global data transfers. Clients span a wide range of industries such as internet, communications, media, entertainment, and financial institutions. The team helps both government and non-government organisations with establishing preventive measures against data leaks and other data privacy risks. In Beijing Maggie Meng specialises in cybersecurity, data protection, and regulatory compliance. She leads the team alongside co-head Vincent Wang who mainly advises international clients on privacy and data protection matters but has recently been advising an increasing number of Chinese companies on both local and international privacy laws. Alan Zhou assists clients with data compliance programs.

China > Dispute resolution: Arbitration: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office‘s track record includes successfully acting in several arbitrations on behalf of domestic and foreign clients before the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, China Maritime Arbitration Commission and Beijing Arbitration Commission. The firm also houses several lawyers who are listed on a range of arbitrators’ panels. Dispute resolution experts Jiuguang Zhao leads the practice, which features Yifeng Gao, a ‘senior statesman in international arbitration work‘; Xiusong Xing, who currently serves as vice-chair of the Arbitration and ADR Committee of ICC China; and Jingye Jiang, who acts for shipping companies, P&I clubs, insurance companies, import and export companies, project contractors and manufacturers in disputes. Also maintaining active arbitration practice are Heng Wang and Carine Dong and at of counsel level, Kyle Xiao specialises in domestic and international arbitration, particularly corporate and financial disputes.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: PRC firms Tier 2

‘A firm that can be trusted by clients‘, Global Law Office’s litigators are active before all levels of China’s people’s courts, including the Supreme People’s Court and its circuit courts. Recent disputes experience for the team includes acting in several high-end litigation cases on behalf of Fortune Global 500 multinational corporations, as well as securities companies, major asset management groups, and commercial and investment banks. The group is led by Jiuguang Zhao, whose experience encompasses multiple complex commercial contract disputes. The team further includes international arbitration specialist Yifeng Gao; Jingye Jiang, who acts for shipping companies, P&I clubs, insurance companies, import/export businesses, project contractors and manufacturers in their disputes; and Weiwei Gu, an expert in government investigations, particularly in relation to anti-corruption and antitrust issues. At of counsel level, Lu Jiang‘s practice covers civil and commercial disputes. Former joint practice head Zhao Li departed in November 2023.

China > Fintech: PRC firms Tier 2

The practice at Global Law Office, which covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, is active across regulatory investigations, strategic investments, licensing and mobile payments.  Maggie Meng, Vincent Wang, Steven Yu and Meph Jia Gui share leadership duties. Meng has in-depth knowledge of data compliance systems; Yu assists major tech clients and VC funds with their investment in China-based fintechs; and Wang enhances the contentious experience at the firm. Capital markets specialist Jinrong Liu is an additional name to note.

China > Intellectual property: PRC firms

‘Well equipped with strong professional knowledge‘, Global Law Office‘s IP team focuses on the manufacturing, TMT and energy sectors, as well as the pharmaceuticals, sport, and food and beverage industries. Its IP expertise ranges from patents, trade marks and copyright, to trade secrets, domain names, plant variety protection, and unfair competition. Recent highlights include representing Perfect World Coin (before the Supreme People’s Court) in a headline trade mark case, which has major consequences for the entertainment sector’s industry rules. The group, headed by managing partner Jinrong Liu, includes Meph Jia Gui, a specialist in the creation, exploitation and protection of IP rights; Degang Ma, who ‘provides very high-quality advice’; IP litigation expert Jack Li; and Ying Mu, whose practice encompasses trade mark and patent authorisations.

China > Investment funds: PRC firms Tier 2

Fielding 'practical lawyers with excellent backgrounds', Global Law Office is highly focused on investment funds, including private equity and venture capital funds, as well as private funds of funds and sovereign wealth funds. The firm also houses sector experts in pharmaceuticals, life sciences and healthcare, along with telecoms, new energy and semiconductors. Co-leading the practice, Yuan Yuan routinely acts for global and domestic fund sponsors on the structuring and establishment of private investment funds; and Amy Dai is a specialist in investment funds, private equity, venture capital and fund formation, along with M&A and outbound investments. Other key advisers include the 'very practical and experienced' Xianlai Liu, a former general counsel at private equity fund New Horizon Capital; firm managing partner Jinrong Liu, who frequently advises on private equity and venture capital-related investments; and Jinghe Wang, whose track record includes the establishment of private equity investment funds.

China > Labour and employment: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office is notable for its strength in employment litigation, handling a high volume of termination disputes for a stellar client base including Volkswagen, HP and Glencore. The team is led byregulatory compliance and risk control expert Weiwei Gu. Shujun Liu has expertise in several specific sectors including real estate, maritime transportation, and chemicals. The financial services focussed Angela Sui and experienced litigator Zhaogang Wang are further names to note. Former joint practice head Zhao Li departed in November 2023.

China > Private equity: PRC firms Tier 2

With considerable breadth and depth of expertise of the Chinese PE market, Global Law Office regularly supports various onshore and offshore companies across a number of key sectors including technology, TMT, education, healthcare and financial services. The Shanghai practice is co-led by Steven Yu, who has close to two decades of experience advising PE and VC funds in their investment in China-based TMT companies. Co-head Jeffrey Zhu works with multinational corporations and PRC enterprises in the fields of internet, education, hospitality and petrochemicals. Beijing-based managing partner Jinrong Liu is also a PE specialist, having represented a diverse range of major clients in this field including CVC, Primavera Capital and Blackstone. Evan Sun is highly sought after by multinationals investing in Chinese companies, with his practice covering a broad range of industries from food and automobiles to culture and entertainment.

China > Regulatory/compliance: PRC firms Tier 2

Global Law Office assists clients with a slew of regulatory matters, including risk assessments, compliance policies, training, investigations, and defence. The firm has an impressive client base, especially in the pharmaceutical and TMT sectors. In Shanghai, co-head Alan Zhou specialises in corporate investigations and regulatory compliance requirements and uses his knowledge to help clients construct compliance systems and complete risk assessments. Co-chair Weiwei Gu leads the team in Beijing. Handling both regulatory matters and dispute resolution cases, Gu is especially skilled in anti-bribery administrative investigation cases. Key team members include corporate criminal compliance specialist Lai Wang, regulatory compliance and M&A expert Deming Zhao, and Maggie Meng, who assists TMT clients with regulatory compliance and cybersecurity issues. Also noted are Xi Wang who works on corporate risk, and Jacky Li who is well-versed in healthcare and life sciences regulation.

China > Insurance: PRC firms Tier 3

Fielding ‘team members with extensive knowledge and solid legal foundations‘, Global Law Office acts for insurance and reinsurance companies, as well as sponsors, on insurance company establishments, asset management, investments and financings. Other notable areas of strength are trust and fund projects, restructurings, equity transfers, insurance payouts and coverage, and insurance disputes. The principal figures in Beijing are Yifeng Gao and Jingye Jiang, whose track records both include major insurance disputes, while Amy Dai is the key contact in Shanghai, and Chengdu-based Feng Sheng ‘proposes creative solutions‘. Also in Shanghai, Tim Yimin Liu routinely acts in insurance-related disputes.

China > Private wealth: PRC firms Tier 3

Global Law Office offers comprehensive wealth management services, spanning marital wealth planning, family wealth inheritance, tax planning, insurance and more. The practice is under the joint leadership of Feng Sheng, Jerry Liu, Jun Qian, Shino Hu, and Tim Yimin Liu. Sheng specialises in asset protection, transfer, and inheritance, offering planning and audit optimisation for high-net-worth individuals and shareholders. Jerry Liu’s expertise lies in investment and dispute resolution, while Qian’s background in finance and taxation complements the team’s offerings. Tim Yimin Liu supports insurance clients with his insurance and dispute resolution expertise.

China > Restructuring and insolvency: PRC firms Tier 3

The debt restructuring and corporate liquidation team at Global Law Office acts on a number of restructuring and bankruptcy issues, from numerous sectors including banking and finance, business services, and chemical engineering. The firm acts as legal counsel for debtors, restructuring parties, and investors, and runs legal risk investigations and derivative litigation related to company liquidation and bankruptcy. Jiuguang Zhao heads up the practice from Beijing, focusing on debt restructuring and company liquidation for large state-owned enterprises and listed companies. Shanghai-based Weiwei Gu handles commercial dispute resolution and corporate reorganisations, while Yunjian Hou and Eric Chen are adept at a range of restructuring and insolvency matters.

China > Shipping: PRC firms Tier 3

Global Law Office adeptly handles contentious and non-contentious cases across the shipping industry, encompassing ship arrests and ship auctions, as well as foreign maritime arbitration and spill pollution litigation. The team is mainly known for its litigation and arbitration work, assisting large shipping companies, banks, logistics and trade companies, and P&I clubs with complex issues. The practice is co-led by Yifeng Gao, Jingye Jiang, Ting Lei, and Lei Niu. Gao predominantly assists international clients and Jiang is experienced in dispute resolution, while Lei advises on a wide range of shipping matters. Shanghai-based Niu focuses on arbitration for multi-national and international companies.

China > Regional coverage: Sichuan Province: Chengdu including Chongqing

Global Law Office‘s Chengdu branch stands out in areas including banking, real estate, energy, and dispute resolution. Kunlin Wang, managing partner, offers extensive expertise in banking and finance, guiding key players ranging from government agencies to financial institutions on regulatory matters. Kunlin Wang specialises in energy and mining, honing in on dispute resolution and investments. Meanwhile, Feng Sheng provides wealth management, tax planning, insurance, and dispute resolution services.