Fielding a group of specialists in multi-jurisdictional M&A, joint ventures, and sales of controlling stakes, Clifford Chance LLP has extensive experience of representing global corporations and China-based companies. The firm’s sector-specific expertise is broad, displaying considerable strength in the consumer goods, tech, and healthcare sectors, whilst routinely leveraging the knowledge spread across its Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong offices. From Beijing, Terence Foo heads the outfit, being an expert in advising private equity and sovereign wealth funds on investments in China, and Yufei Liao concentrates on tech transactions. In Shanghai, Kelly Gregory primarily focuses on strategic technical collaborations and reorganisations, while Yi Yang is knowledgeable in the real estate and automotive spheres. Fang Bao is also cited as a key contact in the Shanghai office.

Described as ‘experienced and technically astute’, the Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP practice stands out for its work on complex inbound and outbound cross-border M&A, divestitures, and joint ventures. The team frequently acts on behalf of Chinese and multinational companies across sectors ranging from TMT and consumer goods to finance and e-commerce. The group is co-headed by the trio of Jonathan Stone, Haiping Li, and Paloma Wang, with Li being based out of both Hong Kong and Shanghai, while predominantly specialising in major strategic partnerships and multi-jurisdictional investments. Also in Shanghai, Yuting Wu regularly acts for sovereign wealth funds, and Beijing’s Kai Sun concentrates on capital market matters and high-value listings. Shanghai-based Flora Lu is also a key name to note.

With a strong track record in handling public and private M&A, privatisations, and joint ventures, the A&O Shearman team regularly represents leading multinationals and international investors. Its team of specialist lawyers primarily focuses on key regulated industry sectors, including financial services, energy, and TMT, with the head Victor Ho being an expert in overseeing cross-border transactions from both Beijing and Hong Kong. In Beijing, Li Chen is knowledgeable on corporate and private equity matters, and Shanghai’s Jack Wang concentrates on regulatory and compliance issues. Ling Li is hailed for her strategic investments work and mergers.

Providing a full end-to-end service on the whole spectrum of cross-border M&A, tax, and employment issues, the ‘global and resourceful’ practice at Baker McKenzie FenXun has extensive expertise across the TMT, financial services, and real estate spheres. Operating out of Shanghai, Howard Wu leads the team, predominantly concentrating on multi-jurisdictional corporate transactions within the information technology and consumer goods sectors. Hong Zhang routinely advises Chinese companies and multinationals on both China inbound and outbound investments, Cherrie Shi focuses on complex joint ventures. Jeff Xu and Jacky Zhu are also each noted as key contacts in the group.

Spearheaded by Hong Kong-based Luke Gannon, DLA Piper has a proven track record in managing public takeovers, multi-jurisdictional M&A, and complex joint ventures for a range of domestic and international companies. The firm stands out for its expertise in the capital markets, real estate, and IP spheres, with Shanghai’s Qiang Li being an expert in corporate finance, direct investment projects, and restructurings. Also based in Shanghai, Roy Chan frequently supports major Chinese enterprises in their expansion through joint ventures and corporate matters. Operating of Beijing, James Chang is highly knowledgeable on securities law and leveraged finance issues.

Representing a diverse assortment of Chinese and global clients, the Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP practice has extensive experience handling take-private transactions, corporate restructurings, and complex cross-border M&A. The firm expertly leverages its specialist lawyers across the United States, Europe, and China, with the Beijing-based head Fang Xue specialising in high-value going-private transactions and matters relating to investments, whilst Yi Zhang is highly knowledgeable in the real estate, energy and infrastructure sectors. Qi Yue primarily focuses on strategic and private equity buyouts, alongside joint ventures.

Representing leading multinational and Chinese clients across the mining, TMT, and life sciences fields, Hogan Lovells International LLP handles the full spectrum of corporate transactions, with a particular focus on cross-border M&A and restructurings. The practice includes a team of practitioners who advise on regulatory compliance and employment matters, while the Beijing-based head Liang Xu specialises in distressed M&A and special situations. Lu Zhou primarily concentrates on strategic business transactions, while in Shanghai, Don Williams has vast experience of acting for corporate ventures and private equity funds, and Tony Mou is a fund formation and corporate finance expert.

Co-headed by the Hong Kong-based duo of Matthew Middleditch and Betty Yap, the Linklaters team has extensive experience of overseeing multi-jurisdictional strategic partnerships, major takeovers, and M&A transactions. The team shows considerable strength in the financial services, insurance, and consumer goods sectors, alongside vast cross-border capabilities, primarily with Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. Operating out of both Hong Kong and Shanghai, John Xu specialises in representing Chinese listed companies, financial institutions, and private equity clients, regularly supporting them in outbound investments and corporate transactions.

Specialising in the TMT, healthcare, and real estate industries, the Morrison Foerster practice has extensive expertise in handling high-value IPOs and multi-jurisdictional M&A. The firm’s diverse array of clients includes major financial institutions, international software companies, and tech conglomerates, with the Beijing-based co-heads Rongjing Zhao and Paul McKenzie bringing vast experience in cross-border joint ventures and growth capital investments to the group. Chuan Sun also co-leads from Shanghai, primarily focusing on business separation transactions, whilst Siyu Gao, Sarah Wang, and Bingye Wu are all highlighted as integral members of the outfit.

Acting for an array of local and international clients from across the fintech, life sciences, and energy industries, the Norton Rose Fulbright team fields a team of lawyers specialising in carve-out transactions strategic investments, and cross-border M&A. The firm displays considerable expertise in advising on the sale of equity interests and complex joint ventures, with Shanghai-based Sun Hong and Justin Wilson being experts in foreign direct investment and general corporate matters. Hong regularly assists financial institutions and international corporations on various regulatory compliance measures.

With the ‘outstanding ’Yang Wang heading the Beijing-based team, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP provides bespoke advice on the full spectrum of corporate work, including cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and strategic investments. The firm is highly regarded for its representation of leading Asia-based corporations and global private equity firms, primarily in the AI and electric vehicle sectors, while Wang mainly focuses upon corporate finance transactions and joint investments. Also in Beijing, Jie Min routinely handles complex financial regulatory matters and corporate restructurings.

Operating a fully integrated M&A team across offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, White & Case LLP displays ‘expert level knowledge’ when advising on outbound investments, complex joint ventures, and cross-continental acquisitions. Vivian Tsoi consistently acts for global corporations and Chinese state-owned entities. Yan Yan is a private equity specialist, and Alan Bao primarily concentrates on IPOs. Paul Tang is knowledgeable on dispositions and buyouts, and Amy Yang is also recommended.

Eversheds Sutherland has in-depth expertise in handling multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, strategic investment work, and major corporate restructurings, acting on behalf of domestic and international corporations. Managing partner Jack Cai operates out of Shanghai, routinely advising on high-value corporate projects in China and international investments, while in Beijing, Jay Ze brings a depth of experience in the energy, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors. Having been promoted to partner in May 2024, Richard Cao specialises in corporate reorganisations and joint venture formations.

Deploying a group of lawyers specialising primarily in the financial institution, TMT, and energy sectors, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP has vast expertise in advising on cross-border joint ventures and M&A transactions, along with direct and indirect investments. Nanda Lau heads the corporate department from Shanghai, standing out for her work in managing major corporate restructurings and JV arrangements, whilst Jason Sung leads the M&A group. Gavin Guo is knowledgeable in the TMT and pharma spheres, Calvin Ho focuses on cross-border transactions, and Beijing’s Monica Sun routinely advises PRC companies on their outbound investments.

Highly regarded for its expert handling of cross-border SPAC and de-SPAC transactions, in conjunction with a strong corporate finance offering, the Kirkland & Ellis International LLP team is renowned for its ‘responsiveness’ and ‘professionalism’. The firm regularly advises on major take-private transactions and sales of shares, with the duo of Joey Chau and Brian Ho spearheading the practice from Hong Kong. Mengyu Lu is knowledgeable on multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, while Jesse Sheley and Peng Yu predominantly concentrate on the TMT and life sciences spaces. All lawyers mentioned are Hong Kong-based.

Demonstrating considerable activity in the public and private M&A spheres, the Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP team leverages its specialist lawyers in capital markets, employment and antitrust issues to deliver bespoke advice to Chinese and international entities. Based out of both Hong Kong and Beijing, the duo of Edwin Luk and Ning Zhang co-head the firm’s Mainland China offering, each specialising in cross-border corporate transactions and regulatory compliance issues. From Shanghai, Alex Wang primarily focuses on the real estate, and TMT fields, whilst Connie Cheung concentrates on investments and divestments from the firm's Hong Kong office.

Labelled as a ‘very serious and responsible’ outfit, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP routinely acts for China’s largest multinational corporations and prominent state-owned entities, alongside major investors in the e-commerce, AI, and renewables spheres. The firm demonstrates extensive cross-border capabilities, with the Shanghai-based co-lead Jeffrey Sun being an expert in cross-border M&A transactions, predominantly in the TMT sector. Based out of Beijing, the other co-head Jinsong Zhang consistently acts for international and Chinese investors on all aspects of regulatory and compliance matters.

Being consistently instructed by clients in the TMT, insurance, and industrial sectors, the Paul Hastings LLP outfit has extensive expertise in assisting with multi-jurisdictional all cash acquisitions and complex joint ventures. The firm represents large Chinese conglomerates and major investment funds, while the head, David Wang primarily stands out for his work in M&A transactions and private equity deals. In Shanghai, Sophie Han is highly recommended for cross-border corporate transactions and inbound investment issues.

Counting companies from within the biotech, consumer, and manufacturing industries amongst its key clients, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has extensive experience of advising on M&A, follow-on investments, and complex divestments. Located out of both Beijing and Hong Kong, Judie Ng Shortell co-leads the practice, specialising heavily in high-value disposals of shares, alongside assisting with the sales of shares in parent companies and its subsidiaries. The other co-head, Greg Liu, primarily guides multinationals and private equity clients on numerous investments from the Beijing office, while Jack Sun is knowledgeable on cross-border mergers.

Fielding a team of industry experts in aviation, manufacturing, and life sciences, Bird & Bird regularly represents blue-chip tech multinationals and Chinese corporations on all aspects of multi-jurisdictional M&A and strategic partnerships. Operating out of Beijing, John Shi leads the practice, being an expert in corporate transactions and regulatory compliance, while Sarah Zeng focuses on disposals and joint ventures. Shanghai-based Sven-Michael Werner acts for foreign investors.

Overseeing a broad range of complex acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures, the Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton practice has an extensive track record of acting on behalf of major multinational companies and Chinese corporates. Denise Shiu heads the Beijing-based team, specialising in strategic collaborations, minority investments, and cross-border M&A transactions, while Wei Fang regularly acts for private equity investors, hedge funds, primarily in pre-IPO investments and financings.

Praised for being ‘very experienced’ and ‘highly responsive’, the CMS practice has vast expertise in handling cross-border M&A, corporate governance issues, and complex joint ventures. Based out of Shanghai, the head Ulrike Glueck provides ‘pragmatic solutions’ when advising on major projects relating to foreign direct investment and corporate restructurings, whilst in Beijing, Falk Lichtenstein primarily represents Chinese state-owned and private corporations throughout the IT, life sciences, and automotive fields.

Through a ‘combination of technical expertise and practicality’, the Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. practice advises multinational corporations and Chinese clients on all aspects of M&A, joint ventures, and corporate reorganisations. Co-headed by the trio of David Boitout, Jiannian Fan, and Guo Min, the team regularly assists entities in the industrial gases and life sciences sectors. Shanghai-based Boitout and Fan are knowledgeable on cross-border acquisitions, Beijing’s Min is a tax structuring expert, and Zengyan Wang is also highlighted as key.

Primarily focusing on a broad spectrum of joint ventures, M&A, and restructurings, the K&L Gates practice has an ‘in-depth understanding’ of the healthcare, automotive, and financial services industries. Operating out of both Hong Kong and Beijing, Frank Voon leads the team, standing out for his venture capital work, while Shanghai-based Simon Poh routinely acts for international corporations and financial institutions. Max Gu and Yujing Shu are also cited as key contacts.

Spearheaded by Simon Cooke in Hong Kong, the Latham & Watkins LLP practice stands out for its expertise in both outbound and inbound acquisitions, carve-out transactions and joint ventures. The team is particularly well versed in the healthcare, media, and energy sectors, with Cooke being an expert in high-value equity investments and disposals. Operating out of Beijing, Jason Zhao is highly knowledgeable in growth capital investments and venture capital financings.

Demonstrating extensive expertise across the pharma, tech, and real estate industries, the O'Melveny practice is highly regarded for handling complex cross-border takeovers and joint venture transactions. Operating out of Beijing, co-head Ke Geng routinely advises clients in connection with financings for Chinese companies, M&A, and other corporate issues, while in Hong Kong, Nima Amini predominantly focuses on assisting private equity funds and finance institutions. The team also frequently manages multi-jurisdictional investments.

Guiding Chinese and multinational companies on their inbound and outbound M&A and private equity transactions, the Pinsent Masons outfit predominantly specialises in the automotive and life sciences fields. The practice is spearheaded by Wei Liu in Shanghai and Amanda Yao, based in both Beijing and Shanghai, both specialising in advising joint ventures, restructuring deals, and fundraisings. Michael Lin assists clients on foreign direct investment, and Ginger Zhou is also noted as a key team member.

With Eric Lin at the helm, Reed Smith LLP routinely acts for major private state-owned PRC entities and Hong Kong-listed corporates on the gamut of corporate issues, including cross-border M&A and joint ventures. Lin operates out of Beijing and Hong Kong, focusing on project finance matters and high-profile energy projects. From Shanghai and Hong Kong, Amy Yin provides regulatory and compliance advice to tech companies, while Beijing’s Barbara Li is also highlighted as key name to note.

Covering cross-border M&A, takeovers, and joint ventures extensively, the Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP practice has a strong track record of acting for domestic and international companies across the e-commerce, tech, and healthcare sectors. Since the departure of former managing partner Tim Gardner in April 2024, Charles Ching heads the team from both Hong Kong and Shanghai, primarily concentrating on acquisitions and private equity matters. The ‘innovative’ Yujing Liu is recommended for foreign direct investment and general corporate matters.

Leveraging its strong links with Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, Cuatrecasas has vast experience of handling capital-raisings, investments, and corporate restructurings, with these transactions regularly spanning across multiple jurisdictions. Co-heading from Shanghai, Sandra Costas Rodas and Omar Puertas both specialise in cross-border M&A and complex exits, while in Beijing, Pablo Cubel stands out for his work in the renewable energy and waste management space.

Displaying considerable expertise in managing complex SPAC transactions and multi-jurisdictional M&A, the Dechert LLP is frequently instructed by Chinese corporations and global entities. The firm is especially active in the life sciences, tech, and financial services fields, regularly supporting clients on corporate restructurings. Spearheading the outfit, Yang Wang is located in both Beijing and Hong Kong, primarily specialising in PRC outbound investments.

Leveraging the vast knowledge spread cross its offices in Europe, Middle East, and Asia, the Shanghai-based LPA Law practice is consistently called upon to handle cross-border M&A and corporate restructurings for domestic and international clients. Co-lead Hubert Bazin excels in joint ventures and partnership agreements, whilst joint practice head Fanny Nguyen focuses on complex corporate transactions.

Providing bespoke advice to Chinese, Japanese and international clients, the team at Nishimura & Asahi has extensive experience in managing cross-border corporate transactions, strategic planning, and joint ventures. Azusa Nakashima heads the Mainland China offering from Beijing, primarily focusing on complex corporate restructurings, while from the Shanghai office, Satoshi Tojo stands out for his role in labour disputes.

Specialising in multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, primarily in the tech and life sciences industries, the Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP practice has experience of representing major domestic and international clients. Since joining the firm in June 2024, Shanghai-based Jia Yan brings vast expertise in IPOs, fund formations, alongside private equity investments to the outfit. From Beijing, Tianze Ma concentrates on capital market transactions and acquisitions.

Fielding an ‘extensive network of attorneys’,Taylor Wessing LLP Beijing Representative Office has a strong track record in managing cross-border M&A and joint ventures, with a primary focus on the manufacturing and automotive spheres. Christoph Hezel and Qun Huang co-head the team from Beijing, specialising in foreign direct investment and complex corporate restructurings. Johnny Zhao has experience of advising on merger control and trade issues, while in Shanghai, Mike Goldammer excels in China-related compliance matters.