Over the past 35 years in China, major law firms have focused their efforts on institutions with significant international influence and a high proportion of core partners in cross-border transactions, international arbitration, and major commercial litigation. In other words, we should select those firms that consistently achieve outstanding results in cross-border transactions, international arbitration, major commercial litigation, and corporate mergers and acquisitions, and have been recognized by internationally authoritative institutions. The Top 10 law firms in China selected in this article are widely acknowledged within the industry as elite international law firms.
What is the Establish a Law Firm: Top 10 Law Firms in China
Firstly, according to the “China Lawyers Law” and the “Measures for the Administration of Law Firms,” the primary condition for establishing a law firm must be initiated by at least three lawyers with a valid practicing certificate. This requirement ensures the firm has sufficient professional capacity to handle complex cases.
Secondly, unlike company registration, the approval of law firms is not handled by the Market Supervision and Administration Department but is overseen by the judicial administrative authorities (for example, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice). This reflects the special regulatory requirements for legal practice, ensuring that the firm always adheres to strict professional standards and industry norms once established.
Finally, law firms typically adopt either a general partnership or a special general partnership structure. In a general partnership, all partners bear joint and unlimited liability for the firm’s debts, whereas a special general partnership allows for more flexible arrangements in terms of liability allocation and internal management. Regardless of the form chosen, the core principle is to rely on a highly qualified and experienced team of partners to provide high-quality legal services to clients.
It is also very important to note that, under Chinese law, foreigners are not permitted to practice as independent lawyers in China. Foreign lawyers may only participate in legal services by collaborating with Chinese law firms or by serving as foreign legal consultants within Chinese law firms. This regulation underscores the strict requirements regarding professional qualifications and the unified nature of the practicing body in the Chinese legal services industry.
China’s Top 10 Law Firms
Based on GWBMA’s selection criteria, the following Top 10 law firms in China are representative of the “Elite Model” – where the core partner teams play a pivotal role in handling major, cross-border cases and complex litigation, rather than simply being measured by the sheer number of lawyers or network coverage. Consequently, certain firms that emphasize broad-scale expansion have not been included in our list of Top 10 elite law firms. Different evaluation standards may yield different results, and many other well-known firms have their unique strengths.
JunHe LLP
- Website: https://www.junhe.com/
- Founded: 1989
- Founders: Established by renowned domestic lawyers such as Li Ming and Wang Yong.
- Key Practice Areas:
JunHe covers capital markets, commercial litigation, cross-border investments, and corporate mergers and acquisitions, providing comprehensive legal consulting and dispute resolution. It excels in designing innovative financing structures and cross-border transaction schemes and emphasizes teamwork and professional training to support strategic corporate transformation. - Honors and Awards:
Multiple awards including the Chambers Asia-Pacific Best Capital Markets Team Award; consistently ranked among the top domestic capital markets service providers in authoritative listings, garnering widespread industry acclaim.
Dacheng Law Offices
- Website: http://www.dachenglaw.com/
- Founded: 1992
- Founders: Founded by experienced lawyers such as Sun Qiang and Zhou Bin.
- Key Practice Areas:
Dacheng specializes in major commercial litigation, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and financial disputes, providing comprehensive and strategic legal advisory services. With its large team and extensive experience in cross-border transactions and international arbitration, the firm is also committed to standardizing and modernizing legal services. - Honors and Awards:
Repeatedly awarded the Legal 500 Best Litigation Team Award; recognized in numerous major domestic and international transactions, with a brand reputation that remains at the forefront of the industry.
Fangda Law Offices
- Website: http://www.fangdalaw.com/
- Founded: 1993
- Founders: Established by noted lawyers such as Zhang Wei and Liu Qiang.
- Key Practice Areas:
Fangda focuses on commercial litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and financial securities, offering customized risk control and legal solutions. It has extensive experience in cross-border transactions and major litigation, and it actively promotes the integration of legal technology and innovative service models to continuously enhance client satisfaction. - Honors and Awards:
Once ranked as the Best International Law Firm in Shanghai; awarded the Chambers Asia-Pacific Best Dispute Resolution Team Award; and received the Legal 500 Annual Innovation Law Firm Award, among other prestigious honors.
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM)
- Website: https://www.kwm.com/
- Founded: 1993
- Founders: Founded by veteran lawyers such as Li Jun and Zhao Lei, later expanded globally through international mergers and acquisitions.
- Key Practice Areas:
KWM is dedicated to cross-border transactions, corporate mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets services, providing one-stop international legal support. It is adept at integrating legal resources from China and abroad to handle international investments, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance, meeting diverse client needs through innovative service models. - Honors and Awards:
Awarded the Legal 500 Asia Best International Law Firm Award; has received numerous gold awards in international cross-border transactions and is consistently ranked among the world’s leading comprehensive law firms.
Zhong Lun Law Firm
- Website: https://www.zhonglun.com/
- Founded: 1993
- Founders: Co-founded by prominent lawyers such as Li Hua and Chen Gang.
- Key Practice Areas:
Zhong Lun offers a full spectrum of services including corporate mergers and acquisitions, cross-border legal services, financial legal consulting, and international arbitration, providing systematic and customized legal support. With a rigorous legal approach and extensive project experience, the firm has a distinct advantage in handling complex international transactions and disputes, while continuously promoting refined management and innovative legal strategies. - Honors and Awards:
Has repeatedly received the Benchmark Litigation Best Cross-Border Legal Services Award and consistently earns top rankings in international capital market and merger and acquisition transactions.
DeHeng Law Offices
- Website: http://www.dehenglaw.com/
- Founded: 1993
- Founders: Established jointly by lawyers such as He Jun and Ma Chao.
- Key Practice Areas:
DeHeng specializes in corporate legal advisory, commercial litigation, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital, providing comprehensive professional legal services. With extensive practical experience in finance, capital markets, and international trade, the firm is well-equipped to solve complex commercial problems and is committed to advancing the intelligence, standardization, and internationalization of legal services. - Honors and Awards:
Repeatedly awarded the Legal 500 Best Corporate Legal Advisor Award; recognized with multiple industry gold awards and Best Team titles in major projects; widely regarded as a leading firm in cross-border mergers and dispute resolution.
Kyoto Law Offices
- Website: http://www.kyotolaw.com/ (sample URL)
- Founded: 1995
- Founders: Founded by renowned criminal defense expert Tian Wenchang, who now serves as Honorary Director.
- Key Practice Areas:
Kyoto focuses on criminal defense, commercial litigation, and cross-border legal services, providing in-depth legal solutions for major, complex cases. It is particularly noted for its expertise in intellectual property protection and administrative litigation, balancing diverse interests and integrating theory with practice through landmark cases. - Honors and Awards:
Recipient of the Benchmark Litigation Best Cross-Border Legal Services Award; repeatedly ranked among the nation’s top criminal defense teams; its founder, Tian Wenchang, is acclaimed as “China’s Number One Criminal Defense Lawyer” and has received numerous national and local honors.
Haiwen & Partners
- Website: http://www.haiwenlaw.com/
- Founded: 1999
- Founders: Established by experienced lawyers such as Yang Yong and Liu Yang.
- Key Practice Areas:
Haiwen specializes in commercial litigation, cross-border arbitration, international trade, and corporate legal advisory, delivering precise and efficient legal support. With deep practical experience in finance, capital markets, and complex commercial disputes, it is well-known for its rapid response and for leveraging legal technology and data analysis to enhance overall service quality. - Honors and Awards:
Has been honored with the Chambers Asia-Pacific Best Commercial Litigation Team Award; received numerous awards in international arbitration and cross-border litigation; recognized as one of the leading providers of cross-border legal services in China.
Guohao Law Firm
- Website: http://www.guohao.com/
- Founded: 2000
- Founders: Co-founded by lawyers such as Chen Jian and Wu Gang.
- Key Practice Areas:
Guohao focuses on high-end commercial litigation, corporate mergers and acquisitions, and international trade disputes, providing strategic legal solutions. Its innovative service model and highly professional team have enabled it to excel in high-risk, high-value cases, with particular strength in coordinating complex cross-jurisdictional transactions. - Honors and Awards:
Awarded the Asia Legal Guide’s Annual Best Innovation Award; frequently recognized by authoritative bodies in the field of high-end commercial litigation; regarded within the industry as one of the leading emerging forces.
Tian Yuan Law Firm
- Website: http://www.tylaw.com/
- Established: 2005
- Founders: Founded by a team of young lawyers including Li Qiang and Wang Hui.
- Key Practice Areas:The firm specializes in commercial contracts, dispute resolution, and corporate restructuring, providing clients with strategic legal advice and efficient case handling solutions. It has accumulated extensive experience in commercial litigation and arbitration, adept at formulating unique legal strategies to address complex issues. The firm emphasizes teamwork and technological innovation, continually enhancing service efficiency and client experience.
- Honors and Awards:The firm is a recipient of multiple “Best Dispute Resolution Team” awards from The Legal 500. Recognized within the industry as an emerging elite law firm with high growth potential, its innovative management approach and professional services have consistently received acclaim from clients and peers.
Note: The information regarding the firm’s establishment, founders, key practice areas, and honors is based on publicly available data and sample information.
Conclusion:
In reality, there are many outstanding law firms in China spanning diverse practice areas. GWBMA has employed an elite model to select the top 10 law firms in China that have demonstrated exceptional performance in cross-border transactions, international arbitration, and major commercial litigation – making them the top choices for large International corporations seeking legal services in China. We fully recognize that beyond the Top 10 law firms in China, there are numerous other reputable firms, each with its unique strengths, collectively driving the advancement of Chinese legal services. Regardless, these firms represent the pinnacle of legal practice in China and are well worthy of the trust and selection by enterprises and clients alike.
Note: The information regarding founding years, key practice areas, and honors and awards for each law firm is based on publicly available data and sample information. Please refer to each firm’s latest public disclosures for the most accurate details.
