AllBright Law Offices

China

Review

Dispute resolution

With 100 partners and 300 lawyers, AllBright Law Offices’ litigation and arbitration practice is known for its work in commercial disputes. The firm is often involved in the real estate, mining and metals and financial services sectors. It is often instructed by international corporations and major domestic enterprises. With a proven track record in litigation, the firm is also growing its presence in the international arbitration scene.  

Rui Guo is a key name in the firm, acting as lead partner on the majority of cases related to the banking and financial services, construction and real estate sectors. Jianfeng Wang and Sheng Zhang are other lawyers to note for both commercial disputes and international arbitration. 

In one of the firm's most high-profile corporate governance matters, partner Guo represented Zhou Ting, widow of Zheng Yonggang, founder of Shanshan Group, a prominent A-share listed company with a peak market capitalization of nearly Rmb70 billion. Following Zheng's sudden passing in February 2023, his son from a prior marriage was swiftly elected Chairman by the board, prompting Zhou Ting to contest the decision on inheritance grounds — a dispute that drew a regulatory notice from the Shanghai Stock Exchange and extensive national media coverage. Through careful cross-disciplinary representation spanning family, corporate, and foreign-related asset law, Guo secured the client's election as a non-independent director to the 11th Board of Directors, after which the previously frozen shares were released and an amicable resolution reached. 

Turning to the construction sphere, the firm's recent matters have engaged novel questions at the intersection of development rights, environmental obligations, and government expropriation policy. In a landmark dispute concluded at the Supreme People's Court level in November 2024, the firm represented the Shanghai Songjiang District Planning and Natural Resources Bureau in successfully defending a Rmb1.1 billion claim, arguing that the plaintiff's halted development arose solely from its own failure to fulfil ecological protection obligations rather than any breach by the Bureau, a position upheld by all three courts. In a separate ongoing matter, the firm represents the People's Government of Jiuting Town and Shanghai Jiuting Investment Development Co in defending a Rmb860 million claim brought by a Taiwan resident disputing the terms of a property repurchase agreement following government land expropriation, raising novel questions on the tension between expropriation policy and national real estate purchase restrictions, with the case currently at the retrial stage before the Shanghai High People's Court. 

Hong Kong Founder Information Co, Kunzhi Co, Shanghai Songjiang District Planning and Natural Resources Bureau and Shenzhen World Union Group Co are some of the firm’s recent clients.