Chinese dispute powerhouse Zhong Lun Law Firm is very strong in the litigation space with its solid experience in handling a wide range of domestic and overseas litigation and arbitration matters. The firm’s litigation bench is stacked with talent ranging from senior statesmen to up-and-comers, all of whom elicit praise from peers and appreciation from clients. Its practitioners hold expertise spanning a range of industries, including banking and financial services, energy, real estate and manufacturing. Prominently active in significant cross-border dispute cases, the firm is also known to have appeared in the largest number of cases before the Supreme People’s Court of China. It also provides a top-tier international arbitration service across the globe.
Prominent figures include commercial disputes star Lijun Cao, insolvency lawyer Shengfeng Xu, regulatory expert Gary Gao, international arbitration specialist Huawei Sun, employment specialist Carol Zhu and construction lawyer Yueping Zhou. Other notable lawyers include Changyu Fu, Baosheng Zhang and Wei Bao.
In the commercial space, the firm is representing Peking University and Founder Group in a series of lawsuits over its restructuring and control of hundreds of affiliates. This case is one of the most significant and complex commercial disputes in China, as it involves the ownership and control of the largest university-run enterprise, dozens of billions of assets, and six listed companies. Another commercial dispute has the team acting for WUYIGE Certified Public Accountants in response to bonds misrepresentation compensation lawsuits owing to the fraudulent issuance of “WU YANG Bonds”. This is China’s first case of a civil compensation dispute over fraudulent issuance of company bonds and the first case applying a representative litigation system in securities misrepresentation disputes.
On the construction front, the firm acted for Tbea Xinjiang Sunoasis in an Rmb130 million ($19 million) contract dispute related to the Xuyi Wind Power Project. The firm also represented Beijing Shougang International Engineering Technology in litigation proceedings before the Xinjiang High People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Court regarding a letter of guarantee in an overseas construction project.
In the government and regulatory space, the firm provided comprehensive compliance legal services for Gopher Asset Management, the private equity funds management firm under Noah Holdings. This case is the first regulatory supervision case after the promulgation and implementation of the government’s regulations on strengthening the supervision of private investment funds.
In insolvency, the team is advising Nanjing Construction Industry Group, the largest private construction group in Nanjing, and its 24 affiliated companies in their substantive merger and insolvency reorganisation. This is the first pre-insolvency reorganisation case of a large-scale private enterprise group and one of the largest substantive merger and insolvency reorganisation cases accepted by the Nanjing Intermediate People’s Court.
In international arbitration, the firm represented a PRC financial institution in an arbitration against a A-share listed company and its UBOs relating to a stock-pledged repurchase agreement dispute that amounts to Rmb2.6 billion ($378 million) before the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission. The case sets a precedent for financial institutions to settle similar disputes using arbitration in Guangdong.
The firm’s recent client roster includes China Medical System Holdings, Huangshan Xiuning Fuda Sewage Treatment, Industrial Securities, Nei Monggol Meifang Energy, Oaktree Capital Management, Ping An Securities and Suhua Construction Group
Client feedback
“Zhong Lun’s litigation strategy and work details are impressive, with a high degree of co-operation, professionalism and dedication.” – Commercial and transactions
“Wide-ranging vision of legal affairs. Professional and timely responses. Control and synchronisation of details. Real-time services for the clients.” – Commercial and transactions
Lijun Cao
“Lawyer Cao demonstrated exceptionally high emotional intelligence and professionalism in formulating litigation strategies and listening to clients’ opinions and proved to be very skilled in processing documents.”
Changyu Fu
“Lawyer Fu is a clear-headed, quick thinker who is highly co-operative, skilled and professional in problem solving.”
Catherine Sun
“Helped us find a lower-cost, more efficient solution and quickly implement it. Very professional and positive attitude, excellent service and control of details. Dedication to protecting assets and constantly pressuring the other side.”
Decai Zhang
“He knows the commercial reality very well, and has in-depth knowledge of the legal frame and practices in China. He always provides the most practical and effective advice to clients.”
Yuru Zuo
“Professional and meticulous legal analysis.”
