The Chinese legal market opened 2022 with an acceleration of firm mergers as two Beijing-based general practice firms, Han Kun Law Offices and DOCVIT Law Firm, absorbing a total of three boutique firms specialising in commercial litigation, finance and intellectual property.
On 6 January, Han Kun entered into a merger agreement with Young-Ben Law Firm. All partners, practice groups and administrative teams of Young-Ben will join Han Kun’s Shanghai office in the near future.
Meanwhile, DOCVIT signed merger agreements with Dare & Sure Law Firm and Dachi Law Firm On 16 January and 16 February, respectively.
Speaking at both signing ceremonies, Liu Guangchao, Beijing-based director of DOCVIT, said: “Our merger [with Dare & Sure] will further expand the size of DOCVIT, enrich and improve our business landscape, and rationalise our partner structure.
“With the merger with Dachi, DOCVIT will become stronger in areas such as intellectual property and corporate practice, especially in the cultural and entertainment sector, where DOCVIT will have more capabilities and edges.”
Founded in 2004, Han Kun has set up offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Haikou and Hong Kong, with a team of more than 800 lawyers and support staff. The firm was selected as one of the Golden Leagues in our China Business Law Awards 2021, and is known for its services in areas such as private equity, M&A, capital markets, investment funds/asset management, antitrust/competition law, and banking and finance. The firm’s Shanghai office has a strong focus on biopharmaceuticals and healthcare, internet finance, and advises some of the top global asset management companies in China.
Shanghai-based Young-Ben was established in 2007, focusing on commercial litigation and financial services, with clients including various government agencies, Chinese and foreign financial institutions, large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises and listed companies in the banking, trusts, insurance, asset management and other industries.
DOCVIT, Dare & Sure and Dachi were established in 2003, 2014 and 2005, respectively. Since 2015, DOCVIT has been rolling out its “moderate scaling” process, consecutively opening offices in Tianjin, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hong Kong and New York.
Upon completion of the merger with the two law firms, DOCVIT will have a team of about 500 lawyers, including 110 partners.
Beijing-based Dare & Sure focuses on intellectual property, administrative compliance, competition and antitrust. The firm’s clients include Tencent, Meituan, Xiaomi, Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group and others in the technology, communications, pharmaceutical and automobile industries.
Focusing on intellectual property and corporate practice, Dachi has advised well-known internet companies and associations such as Alibaba, Baidu, Sina.com and the International Association of Financial Professionals.
The three mergers follow the merger of Silkroad Law Firm and Anchorite & Sage Law Office, based in Xi’an and Beijing, respectively, which was completed on 1 January.
