ESTABLISHED IN 1993
Managing Partner: Anthony Zhao
Number of partners: 390+
Number of associates: 2,500+
Firm Overview
Founded in 1993, Zhong Lun Law Firm is one of the first partnership law firms in the PRC. Today Zhong Lun has over 390 partners, 2,500 professionals working in 18 offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Haikou, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Almaty. As the only PRC law firm member of the World Law Group, Zhong Lun has established a multi-dimensional and multi-channel rapport with overseas law firms to provide clients with unique business legal insights and an unparalleled customer experience.
Awards
•Zhong Lun has been the PRC law firm recommended by Chambers for many consecutive years. Zhong Lun has 36 practice areas obtaining rankings, of which 26 practice areas have received Band 1 recommendations and 90 lawyers have been rated as leading lawyer (Chambers Greater China Region, 2023)
• Golden League (Nationwide Elite Law Firms) (China Business Law Journal 2020-2022)
• Best overall PRC law firm (China Business Law Journal, 2013-2019)
• Beijing Law Firm of the Year (ALB, 2022)
• Client Service Excellence Awards Firm of the Year: China (asialaw Profiles, 2021)
• Firm of the Year – China (Benchmark Litigation, 2019-2022)
Key Practice Areas
Mainland China Capital Markets; Hong Kong & Overseas Capital Markets; Investment/M&A Corporate Governance; Cross-border Investment/M&A; Construction & Project Development; Financing; Debt Restructuring & Non-performing Assets; Taxation &Wealth Planning; Private Equity & Investment Funds; Financial Products & Trusts; Litigation & Arbitration; White Collar Crime & Criminal Compliance; Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Reorganization; Shipping; Compliance & Anti-corruption; Antitrust & Competition; Trade Compliance & Trade Remedies; Customs & Import/Export; Labor & Employment; Health, Safety and Environmental Protection; IP Licensing & Enforcement; Trademark Prosecution; Patent Prosecution; Cybersecurity & Data Protection.
Key Industry Areas
Real estate; Urban Infrastructure; Transportation & Logistics; Tourism & Hospitality; Energy & Power; Mining & Natural Resources; Banking & Financial Services; Insurance; Financial Innovation & Fintech; Telecommunications & Internet; Information & Intelligence Technology; Healthcare; Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences; Education & Training; Media, Sports & Entertainment; National Defense & Military Industry; Retail & Consumer Products; Industry & Manufacturing; Agriculture & Food.
Independent intelligence on this law firm
The following information is sourced directly from China Business Law Journal and/or Law.asia and is not part of the directory listing provided by the law firm.
Testimonials
David Gold, founding partner of David Gold & Associates and life peer of the House of Lords, says: “The service provided was professional and knowledgeable. Despite the time difference, the firm made itself available whenever needed.” Gold also recommends the firm’s partner, Gary Gao.
China Business Law Awards 2022
An engineering technology company is delighted with the firm’s services and recommended Liu Zhengyi of the firm. “The firm provided all-around services for our coal-fired power plant project in Cambodia, including cross-border M&A and international engineering contracting,” says the in-house counsel. “Liu’s positive working attitude, strong professionalism and quality work was recognised by our team members.”
China Business Law Awards 2021
Ge Yaohong, the executive president and general manager of KTK Group, is very satisfied with the corporate compliance service of Zhong Lun. “They are very professional. They would always conduct the investigation and understand the actual situation of the company first before making a move. Then they sorted out the problems, trained the professionals, proposed solutions, and regularly kept us updated on relevant sanctions and compliance information domestically and in other countries,” says Ge.
China Business Law Awards 2021
Zhang Huaici, the director of Jinmao Capital says, “Zhong Lun can indeed be considered as one of the most authoritative law firms in China in terms of REITs, and the professional opinions issued by Zhong Lun are highly recognised by regulators and investors.”
China Business Law Awards 2021
“Based on a thorough understanding of our company’s organizational structure and system, Zhong Lun assisted us to build a tailored overseas operation compliance management system that meets our requirements and the needs of developing overseas markets,” said an in-house counsel of a state-owned power company.The client also recommends Zhang Guoxun of Zhong Lun. “Zhang has rich experience on compliance and can maintain close communication with our company during a project. He can also provide targeted legal services on compliance based on our actual needs.”
China Business Law Awards 2020
Zhang Jinwei, the vice president of Sinomine, said of his own satisfaction with the law firm and the transaction: “We need professional lawyers in the field of overseas mining investment to manage the potential high risks in foreign mining mergers and acquisitions.”
China Business Law Awards 2020
Notable Deals
Recognised by China Business Law Journal as Deals of the Year
| ECARX SPAC listing on Nasdaq | 2022 | US$3.82 billion | Details |
| Guojin CRCC REIT raises USD687m | 2022 | US$687 million | Details |
| Hygon’s USD1.5bn SSE listing | 2022 | N/A | Details |
| LianBio offers shares on Nasdaq | 2022 | US$325 million | Details |
| Range Intelligent’s backdoor listing on SZSE | 2022 | US$2.94 billion | Details |
| SenseTime’s USD740m Hong Kong listing | 2022 | N/A | Details |
| Tianqi Lithium raises USD1.7bn in Hong Kong | 2022 | N/A | Details |
| Tims China lists via SPAC on Nasdaq | 2022 | US$1.4 billion | Details |
| United Imaging Healthcare’s USD1.6bn listing | 2022 | US$1.6 billion | Details |
| CCB sets up first housing rental fund | 2022 | US$4.5 billion | Details |
| China Yangtze Power’s asset restructuring | 2022 | N/A | Details |
| GAC Aion’s series A financing | 2022 | US$2.7 billion | Details |
| M&A of Longyuan Power and Pingzhuang Energy | 2022 | N/A | Details |
| National pipeline group acquires subsidiary equity | 2022 | US$10 billion | Details |
| NCG debt restructuring | 2022 | N/A | Details |
| Hong Kong Airlines’ debt restructuring | 2022 | US$6.2 billion’, ‘US$384 million | Details |
| Fuguiniao bonds’ misrepresentation of liability | 2022 | US$118 million | Details |
| Zhangzidao Group liability dispute | 2022 | N/A | Details |
| Hengxing Gold privatisation | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| Infra REIT listing Shenzhen: Bosera CMS Shekou | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| Tencent’s Sogou privatised from NYSE | 2021 | US$3.5 billion | Details |
| Three Gorges Renewables’ Shanghai IPO | 2021 | US$3.5 billion | Details |
| Dalian Port’s merger with Yingkou Port | 2021 | US$7.9 billion | Details |
| Feima International restructuring | 2021 | US$2 billion | Details |
| Founder Group’s USD11bn restructuring | 2021 | US$11 billion | Details |
| GD Power, China Energy asset swap | 2021 | US$3.1 billion | Details |
| HNA Group restructuring | 2021 | US$6.4 billion | Details |
| Moore Threads’ series A financing | 2021 | US$314 million | Details |
| Sanpower Group debt restructuring | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| Universal Beijing Resort establishment | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| Blackstone’s airport logistics park acquisition | 2021 | US$1.1 billion | Details |
| Establishment of Schroder-BOCOM JV | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| Galanz acquires Whirlpool (China) | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| CGWAM, Xingfu Industry loan agreement dispute | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| First investment arbitration against African country | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| NavInfo electronic map case against Qihoo 360 | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| ‘Wuyang bonds’ securities misrepresentation | 2021 | N/A | Details |
| Guazi.com series D financing | 2020 | US$1.7 billion | Details |
| Huaxin Hydropower’s bankruptcy restructuring | 2020 | N/A | Details |
| Huishan Dairy restructuring | 2020 | N/A | Details |
| Huya’s US$10bn merger with Douyu | 2020 | US$10 billion | Details |
| Ninebot’s Star market IPO | 2020 | N/A | Details |
| China Merchants Commercial REIT’s HK listing | 2020 | N/A | Details |
| Fintech giant Lufax’s US listing | 2020 | US$2.36 billion | Details |
| Haier’s H-share issue, privatisation of Haier Electronics | 2020 | N/A | Details |
| NetEase’s secondary listing in HK | 2020 | N/A | Details |
| Smoore International’s Hong Kong listing | 2020 | US$918 million | Details |
| Airbus Group multinational investigation | 2020 | US$4.3 billion | Details |
| Sogou, Baidu patent disputes | 2020 | N/A | Details |
| Unique case over shareholder marriage disclosure | 2020 | N/A | Details |
| CRSC’s A-share listing on Star board | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| Nylon 66 mixed ownership co-operation | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| SenseTime C++/C-prime round financing | 2019 | US$1 billion | Details |
| Sinotrans merges with Sinoair | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| Ascentage Pharma’s HK listing | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| Canaan Technology’s Nasdaq listing | 2019 | US$400 million | Details |
| China Tianying acquires Urbaser | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| Jinxin Fertility Group’s HK IPO | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| Sinomine acquires Cabot Corporation | 2019 | US$134.7 million | Details |
| Tianqi Lithium acquires part of Sociedad Química y Minera | 2019 | US$4.06 billion | Details |
| Apple and Qualcomm’s antitrust disputes | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| Founder Group, subsidiaries, defend in civil compensation litigation | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| Sogou and Baidu’s patent infringement disputes | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| Huajin Aramco Petrochemical joint venture | 2019 | N/A | Details |
| China Construction Banks’ Jianyuan 2018-11 residential mortgage-backed securitization programme | 2018 | N/A | Details |
| China National Uranium acquires from Rio Tinto Group the Rossing uranium mine in Namibia | 2018 | N/A | Details |
| China Tower’s Hong Kong IPO | 2018 | US$6.9 billion | Details |
| CYPA’s rental income asset-backed specific programme (quasi-REIT programme) | 2018 | N/A | Details |
| Establishment of Shanghai Kechuang Centre equity investment fund | 2018 | N/A | Details |
| Great Wall Motor and BMW form a joint venture in China | 2018 | N/A | Details |
| Meituan Dianping’s Hong Kong IPO | 2018 | US$4.2 billion | Details |
| PKU HealthCare’s defence against multiple investors in civil compensation litigation over false securities statements | 2018 | N/A | Details |
| Qingdao Haier’s D-share IPO in Frankfurt | 2018 | US$319 million | Details |
| SenseTime’s series C/C+ round financing | 2018 | US$ 1 billion | Details |
| Shanghai Pharma’s acquisition of Cardinal Health’s China distribution business | 2018 | US$557 million | Details |
| Sinohydro secures financing for the Rumaila combined cycle-power station in Iraq | 2018 | US$1 billion | Details |
| Suning Sports’ series A financing | 2018 | US$600 million | Details |
| Tesla sets up a new factory in Shanghai | 2018 | N/A | Details |
| ARA Asset Management’s acquisition of Century Link in Shanghai | 2017 | US$3 billion | Details |
| China Resources Healthcare acquires Phoenix Healthcare | 2017 | N/A | Details |
| Formation of the Guotong Private Equity Fund | 2017 | N/A | Details |
| Joint venture between SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH and Tsingshan Holding Group | 2017 | N/A | Details |
| CNMC’s investment in African copper mine | 2017 | N/A | Details |
| Employee placement in China Overseas Property’s acquisition of CITIC Real Estate | 2016 | Details | |
| Poland issues the panda bonds in China | 2016 | Details | |
| Powerchina Roadbridge Group in four highway projects | 2016 | Details | |
| China Tower acquires tower assets of three telecom companies | 2015 | NA | Details |
| Bank of China Hong Kong issues panda bonds | 2015 | US$1.5 billion | Details |
| Automotive Gate’s CKD agreement dispute at ICC | 2015 | NA | Details |
| Nanjing Cenbest acquires 89% stock in House of Fraser | 2014 | US$250 million) | Details |
| Inaugural RMB Formosa bond issues | 2014 | US$1 billion) | Details |
| JD.com Inc’s IPO on NASDAQ | 2014 | US$2. 05 billion) | Details |
| Ford Auto China’s loan securitisation | 2014 | US$130 million) | Details |
| Yunnan Jinning-Hongtaqu Highway BOT concession project | 2014 | US$1.4 billion) | Details |
| Baidu’s acquisition of 91 Wireless | 2013 | US$1.9 billion | Details |
| Yue Xiu Group’s acquisition of HK-listed Chong Hing Bank | 2013 | US$1.5 billion | Details |
| Danone’s joint ventures with Mengniu and COFCO | 2013 | US$1 billion | Details |
| Focus Media’s going-private from Nasdaq | 2013 | US$3.7 billion | Details |
| China Vanke’s establishment of US$2 billion guaranteed medium term note programme | 2013 | US$2 billion | Details |
| Vertical monopoly agreement case between Johnson & Johnson and Rainbow | 2013 | US$NA | Details |
| AoKang Shoes wins the anti-dumping case in EU court | 2013 | US$NA | Details |
| RMB10 billion syndicated loan for the Guangzhou-to-Jiangmen Highway project | 2013 | US$1.6 billion | Details |
| China v ConocoPhillips in a sea pollution claim | 2012 | US$240.74 million | Details |
Contact us
Beijing Head Office
22-31/F, South Tower of CP Center,
20 Jin He East Avenue, Chaoyang District,
Beijing 100020, China
Telephone
+86 10 5957 2288
Fax
+86 10 6568 1022/1838
Email
beijing@zhonglun.com
Shanghai • Shenzhen • Guangzhou
Wuhan • Chengdu • Chongqing
Qingdao • Hangzhou • Nanjing
Haikou • Hong Kong • Tokyo
London • New York • Los Angeles
San Francisco • Almaty
Website
www.zhonglun.com
WeChat
zhonglunlawfirm
