JunHe LLP > GUANGZHOU, China > Firm Profile

JunHe LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Banking and finance: PRC firms Tier 1

Noted for ‘its in-depth understanding of the industry, excellent legal service capabilities and broad international vision’, the banking and finance team at JunHe LLP is particularly recommended for its work on bilateral and syndicated loans. Its clients include Chinese and foreign-funded banks active in the PRC market, handling acquisition and leveraged finance matters involving offshore and onshore assets. Nelson Zhou and David Liu co-head the team from Shanghai. Zhou, praised for his 'extraordinary insight, keen business sense and rich industry experience', has experience spanning real estate financing, structured finance, and regulatory matters concerning financial technology companies, while Liu is a go-to for foreign banks in their strategic cooperation with PRC banks.

China > Corporate and M&A: PRC firms Tier 1

JunHe LLP provides clients with ‘high-quality and efficient support’ in M&A, reorganisation, foreign direct investments, and corporate compliance. The department is led jointly by Wei Xiao, Xiaojun (Warren) Hua, and Adam (Qi) Li, and serves a broad range of industries, including consumer, pharmaceutical, automotive, and high-end manufacturing. Daniel (Kan) He regularly advises multinational companies on joint ventures, strategic investments, and M&A projects, Audrey (Ziruo) Chen brings extensive experience in the energy, natural resources, and education sectors, and Yue (Brett) Zhang focuses on the telecommunications, internet, and hi-tech sectors. Jiang (Joe) Chen specialises in cross-border M&A and private equity investments involving both onshore and offshore structures, while Wei Zhang advises multinational companies on establishing entities and M&A transactions in China.

China > Projects and energy: PRC firms Tier 1

The partners in the JunHe LLP projects and energy practice are described by clients as ‘seasoned experts in international engineering and energy, providing accurate legal services that are well-aligned with clients’ business needs’. The team is jointly led by Jianan Yuan, Bill Qin, Elvis Zhou and Fang Yi. Based in Beijing, Qin is experienced in handling overseas M&A projects, having recently advised a Saudi Arabian company in a joint venture agreement with a Chinese energy company. Zhou, ‘consistently delivering solutions that exceed expectations, even for the most challenging tasks’, specialises in construction and engineering law. In Shanghai, Fang is active in large-scale green infrastructure finance.

China > Antitrust and competition: PRC firms Tier 2

Based in Beijing, the JunHe LLP antitrust and competition team is praised for providing ‘outstanding client service and excellent insights without fail.’ Yingling Wei helms the practice, with recent experience including advising Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in a multi-jurisdictional merger filing for its proposed joint venture with Renault S.A.S. regarding their powertrain solutions business. Mingfang Gong, who brings experience working at MOFCOM, regularly advises clients in merger control filings. Described by clients as being ‘very responsive, flexible and commercial minded’, Janet Hui offers extensive expertise in cross-border M&A transactions and related antitrust requirements.

China > Capital markets: PRC firms Tier 2

JunHe LLP has a strong experience in both DCM and ECM transactions, often assisting clients with bond issuance and IPOs both domestically and internationally. Based in Beijing, Tiejun Shi has notable experience of handling issuance of H shares, A shares, red chips and domestic and overseas GEM stocks. In Shanghai, Xudong Tao is experienced in acting as Hong Kong and United States counsel to underwriters in the placement of new H-Shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Main Board. In Guangzhou, Xiaoli Huang often assists clients in completing IPOs on the Shenzhen and Hong Kong stock exchanges. Recent highlights include advising Canadian Solar International on its STAR Market listing, and acting for Bank of China HSBC on the issuance of RMB3.5bn sustainable panda bonds in Egypt. Chunyang Shao, Yongqiang Yu and Yi Wang are also recommended.

China > Dispute resolution: Arbitration: PRC firms Tier 2

The ‘very competent, knowledgeable, and responsive’ team at JunHe LLP manages both domestic and international arbitration proceedings, including the enforcement of overseas arbitral awards in China. Xiao (Arthur) Dong, who leads the dispute resolution practice alongside Zhao (George) Wang, Li Cai, and Yang (Jigger) Liu, specialises in international trade, shareholder disputes, intellectual property, and M&A-related conflicts. Jia (David) Gu represents state-owned enterprises and multinational corporations in arbitration matters involving international trade transactions, infrastructure projects, and innovative financial products, while Huili (Vicky) Zhao focuses on corporate and commercial disputes, including private equity investments, joint ventures, corporate governance, and shareholder issues.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: PRC firms Tier 2

The ‘impressive team’ at JunHe LLP offers extensive domestic and international litigation expertise, covering a broad spectrum of commercial, civil, administrative and criminal cases, as well as incidental civil actions involving corporate clients. The firm is particularly active in the international trade, automobile, medical devices, and retail sectors, managing disputes related to equity, financing, intellectual property rights, and bankruptcy. Zhao (George) Wang represents multinational corporations and their Chinese subsidiaries through all stages of litigation, and Li Cai is particularly experienced in equity disputes, valuation adjustment mechanisms, securities misrepresentation, and corporate governance issues. Wang and Cai co-lead the dispute resolution practice along with Xiao (Arthur) Dong and Yang (Jigger) Liu. Weining Zou is notable for his expertise in intellectual property, while Lei Wu focuses on securities, investment, and banking litigation. Zhen Zhao joined from Jincheng Tongda & Neal in May 2024, strengthening the firm’s cross-border dispute resolution offering.

China > Intellectual property: PRC firms

JunHe‘s IP team advises both domestic and international clients from the internet, biotech, automobile and pharmaceutical sectors on patent and trade mark issues in China and overseas. The practice assists clients with trade mark, copyright and patent infringement as well as IP-related unfair competition issues. The team also handles patent prosecution and transactional IP matters. Practice head Jian Zhu, splitting his time between Shanghai and the firm’s Silicon Valley office, is noted for his expertise in patent procurement and litigation, often advising life sciences, material science and medical device clients. Zoe Wang leads the patent practice group in Shanghai and mainly focuses on patent prosecution and IP transactions. Over in Beijing, Chumeng Xu is experienced in handling trade mark prosecution and litigation, Zhaolin Wang is the go-to for patent enforcement cases, and Beverly Xu handles a mix of IP transactions, prosecution and enforcement.

China > Investment funds: PRC firms Tier 2

With ‘extensive experience in fund establishment and fund investments’, JunHe LLP acts for private equity and venture capital funds, funds of funds, secondary funds, and asset management companies. The team is also mandated by banks, government authorities, wealth management institutions, and securities, insurance, state-owned and listed companies; and the group’s expertise covers fundraising, regulatory issues, compliance, liquidations, dissolutions, exits, and day-to-day management. Xiyong Zhao, is a veteran investment fund specialist; Man Wang acts for several national and local government guidance funds; Qing (Natasha) Xie advises foreign financial institutions and institutional investors; Jie Tang's sector expertise covers healthcare, internet, automobile, media, retail, energy and environment; Jiakun Cui has ‘outstanding professional ability’; and Hao Xu advises on RMB private funds.

China > Labour and employment: PRC firms Tier 2

With ‘great experience and knowledge across China’s employment landscape’, JunHe‘s 15-strong team specialises in the negotiation, litigation and arbitration of labour matters, as well as collective bargaining involving trade unions and employee representatives. The team also assists with drafting and reviewing employment contracts, along with non-compete and confidentiality agreements. Jianjun Ma handles labour-related disputes, litigation and arbitration; Hongjuan Bai's labour and employment practice covers both recruitment and terminations; and Gordon (Minghao) Feng ‘gives pragmatic advice’. Other names to note are longstanding PRC labour and employment specialist Dongpeng Wang; Yimu Bu, an adviser to multinational companies on collective negotiations, industrial actions and union matters; and Wan Zhang, who assists with labour disputes, compliance investigations, crisis management and mass lay-offs.

China > Life sciences and healthcare: PRC firms Tier 2

JunHe LLP supports healthcare and life sciences clients across the full cycle of their businesses, from incubation, applying for licenses, and seed funding to M&A, IPO, and restructuring. Jointly led by Xudong Tao, Feng (Frank) Zhou, Zhaohui (Zoe) Wang, and Jian (James) Zhu, the group also advises on the entire industry chain of medical products, covering drug development, patents, clinical trials, and commercialisation. Corporate M&A expert Ning Liu is a key member of the team.

China > Private equity: PRC firms Tier 2

JunHe LLP’s private equity and venture capital practice acts on the gamut of private equity work. The team’s expertise ranges from seed, start-up, growth and maturity stages, to IPOs, M&A, restructuring, buybacks and exits. Other key areas are fundraising, LBOs, going-private transactions and recapitalisations. In Shanghai, Nelson Zhou‘s track record includes advising major private equity sponsors on divesting their investments in China; Binxue Sang‘s wide-ranging practice covers significant private equity and venture capital matters; Joe Chen is experienced in transactions involving the pharmaceutical, medical devices, TMT and automotive sectors; and Ning Liu focuses on the pharmaceutical, healthcare, investment banking and consumer goods industries. Sammuel Zhao, Cathryn Jin and Zheng Xie are the names to note in Beijing.

China > Real estate and construction: PRC firms Tier 2

JunHe LLP has a strength in real estate transactions, and offers clients a nationwide practice in the PRC, assisting with contractual matters in the construction space, as well as a range of acquisitions. The group’s client roster features a number of Chinese construction companies. Xueping Yu and Yue Tang oversee the group, and both are experienced in assisting major real estate companies and investment funds. Yu is especially active in Shanghai, where she is currently based, acting in real estate M&A, as well as financing matters in the region.

China > Regional coverage: Guangdong Province: Guangzhou and Shenzhen Tier 2

With offices in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Haikou, and Hong Kong, JunHe LLP has a strong network of offices in the Greater Bay area. Ping (Pete) Zhang and Jianwei Zhang head the Guangzhou and Shenzhen offices, respectively. Joe Wan, a specialist in debt and equity as well as corporate and commercial law, regularly assists clients with A-share listings on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Jin Liu, an experienced banking and finance lawyer, has extensive experience in advising both domestic and foreign clients on funds and loans. Jiwei (Jervis) Yao regularly acts for clients in the TMT and pharmaceutical sectors on their Series-B financing and IPOs on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

China > Regulatory/compliance: PRC firms Tier 2

With ‘outstanding expertise in compliance investigations’, JunHe’s regulatory and compliance practice covers cross-border data transfers, data privacy, and cybersecurity and information legislation. The team also assists with digitisation, environmental, and health and safety compliance. In Shanghai, Leon Liu acts in white-collar matters, along with government and internal investigations; Lei Wu's track record includes compliance investigations and commercial bribery cases; David Tang is an economic sanctions and export control specialist; and Lingyun He handles corporate investigations. Also in Shanghai, Carol Sun is ‘a trusted legal partner for clients’, in relation to cross-border investigations, white-collar crime, and China data security and national security compliance. Beijing-based Yingling Wei advises automotive, telecoms, pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer product clients on antitrust compliance.

China > TMT: PRC firms Tier 2

The Shanghai-based TMT team at JunHe LLP draws on its capital markets and corporate expertise to advise financial institutions and TMT clients with investments, financings, M&A, and IPOs. The team also assists with compliance and IP matters. Practice head Rongnan Huang is experienced in acting for online platforms, film and TV, cartoon, and gaming companies as their legal counsel and has also handled media-related commercial litigation. Yi Wang is a member of the capital markets team and is well-versed in TMT-related transactions.

China > Insurance: PRC firms Tier 3

With core expertise in handling disputes over reinsurance and assisting with complex insurance regulation, the JunHe LLP practice has extensive experience of representing international financial institutions and healthcare investment companies. Liang Deng heads the team from Beijing, specialising in insurance fund utilisation and corporate governance matters, Yinuo Zhang is a compliance expert, and in Shanghai, Xin Chen focuses on commercial and maritime law. Yanqing Peng and Shu Li are also highlighted as important players.

China > Restructuring and insolvency: PRC firms Tier 3

With a strong track record of providing advice to shareholders, creditors, and debtors, the JunHe practice has in-depth expertise in complex debt restructurings and the administration of distressed financial businesses. Beijing-based Li Yang and Jing Lian excel in handling corporate bankruptcy reorganisations and liquidations, in tandem with distressed M&A, while in Shanghai, Zhengdong Liu is an expert in insolvency litigation proceedings, and Min Zhao predominantly represents domestic and foreign creditors. Catherine Miao has insight into special situation investments and Ming Dong is also a name to note.

China > Tax: PRC firms Tier 3

With ‘strong professional capabilities and extensive practical experience’, JunHe LLP advises on the tax aspects of domestic and cross-border transactions as well as daily business operations. The team, led jointly by Hong (Julie) Cheng and Tingting Zhao, offers services including tax due diligence, filings, and dispute resolution. Cheng assists international and Chinese clients with PRC tax issues related to M&A and cross-border investments, while Zhao provides tax consulting and dispute resolution services for state-owned enterprises, multinational corporations, private companies, and individuals.

China > WTO/international trade: PRC firms Tier 3

Highlighted as ‘particularly excellent in taxation and US law’, the JunHe international trade team regularly advises Chinese companies wishing to expand their US presence. In Shanghai, David Tang leads the team. Tang, ‘a safe pair of hands’, often represents clients in dealing with the US Department of Commerce. Also in Shanghai, Jessica Cai is experienced in anti-subsidy investigations.

China > Data protection: PRC firms Tier 4

JunHe‘s data privacy and cybersecurity practice advises multinational and domestic clients on data protection issues within China as well as developments in data privacy worldwide. The group's broad client base encompasses a number of industries, from manufacturing and consumer products to e-commerce and finance. Beijing-based practice head Marissa (Xiao) Dong focuses on data protection and digitalisation and has advised on a slew of PIPL issues in the last year. Carol Sun resides in Shanghai and excels in cross-border data transfers.

China > Regional coverage: Shaanxi Province: Xi’An