Leaf > Shanghai, China > Firm Profile

Leaf > Firm Profile

Leaf is a multi-awarded corporate law firm that specializes in Asia-focused operations.

With a strong track record, we provide comprehensive guidance to international corporations and mid-cap enterprises, ensuring the smooth completion of their cross-border operations and joint ventures with both state-owned and private partners. Additionally, we assist our clients in strategic undertakings throughout Asia and offer expertise in structuring investments in start-ups based in the region.

Our team comprises skilled international corporate lawyers located in both China and France and with a network of partners based in Asia.

Leaf has been recognized as one of the leading foreign firms in China thanks to its high achievements in M&A deals. Highly qualified talents ensure a steady follow-up throughout the Mergers & Acquisitions process which represents the core of Leaf’s activities.

Our team has also a highly recommended expertise in Private Equity. We assist founders and investors to structure their financing operations (debt or equity) in Asian based start-ups.

Leaf has developed innovative solutions with an internal corporate finance team to strengthen the transaction team capacity and a team of tech experts proposing a comprehensive cyber security and data breach offering.

Leaf values diversity in term of cultures and gender. The team is composed of European and Chinese employees that are collaborating for the good of their clients. Furthermore, women make almost 80% of our legal practice and nearly 50% of the management. We also support education of Women in Rural Areas in pro bono actions.

Leaf works as a bi-cultural team to provide efficient solutions that navigate complex legal environments around the world. The firm’s true added value lies in managing complex transactions in a constantly changing legal and business environment.

Leaf‘s experience allows its team to fully understand the legal implications of doing business in China. It is in a position to help evaluate risk level and propose pragmatic solutions. Leaf maintains a “boutique” spirit while applying a creative approach to China problem solving.

Leaf has recently been recognized as one of the leading foreign firms in China thanks to its high achievements in M&A and Private Equity deals.

Leaf is partnering with a data forensics company to ensure compliance of its clients with various cybersecurity laws, protect its clients from potential internal and external IT threats.

Early in 2020, Leaf opened an office in Paris to better assist its clients’ needs in cross-border transactions between Europe and Asia.

Press Releases

Leaf assists the GL events team on their continuous developments in China, with a 2 billion RMB fin

1st April 2021

Leaf has recently assisted GL events in the acquisition by Nexus Point, a private equity fund, of a stake in GL events Greater China, providing the Group additional financial resources to pursue its development in Asia.

Full Jet and Baozun

9th February 2021 LEAF assists Full Jet, strategic and brand-focused industry expert, in merging with Baozun Inc., the leading brand ecommerce service partner that helps brands execute their e-commerce strategies in China.

Leaf assists Beaumanoir Group in consolidating its presence in China

15th January 2021 Leaf assists Beaumanoir Group in consolidating its presence in China through a partnership with Zhongke company.

LEAF assists Tomorrow, a Swedish creative agency based in Shanghai in merging with MediaMonks

15th January 2021 LEAF assists Tomorrow, a Swedish creative agency based in Shanghai in merging with MediaMonks, an independent creative digital production company combining creative and production forces in China

SNB Law and Leaf have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement

18th November 2020 SNB Law (https://en.snb-law.de/) and Leaf (https://www.leaf-legal.com/) have entered into a strategic cooperation to create one of the strongest Sino-European legal teams in China.

Legal Developments

Personal liability of the Executives in China in 2020

24th February 2020 How to protect your business while avoiding to be personally at risk?

Can you apply Hardship or Force Majeure during the Coronavirus crisis?

24th February 2020 With the current 2019 neo-Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) epidemic spreading all over China, companies may want to escape their contractual obligations such as payment obligations or penalty fees. Chinese authorities have decided to take various measures to “city lock-down” and limit further contamination that prevent companies to perform contracts. Many contracts will be affected by factors such as factory operation, payment by customers, road blocks, etc. The purpose of this article is to analyze what legal mechanisms (force majeure / hardship / MAC clause) may be applicable during and after the epidemic, to relieve and mitigate liabilities caused by failure to perform contractual obligations. This Articles is related to our Practical Guide to handle Coronavirus Crisis.