On 18 April 2016, merger ceremony of Beijing Guantao Law Firm and Shanghai Zhongmao Law Firm opened in Shanghai. After five years’ alliance, Guantao Law Firm and Zhongmao Law Firm are officially merged into Guantao Zhongmao Law Firm.
Ye Qing, president of East China University of Political Science and Law, Wang Xie, vice director of Shanghai Judicature Bureau, and Yang Li, Secretary of the Commission of Politics and Law of Hongkou District, among other high-ranking government officials and celebrities, delivered speeches in the merger ceremony. Gao Zicheng, president of Beijing Bar Association, and Yu Weifeng, president of Shanghai Lawyers Association jointly sent a congratulatory message.
Guantao Zhongmao Law Firm is formed through the merger of Guantao Law Firm, Zhongmao Law Firm and other outstanding legal teams. Guantao and Zhongmao are both outstanding law firms with national awards and recognitions from authoritative ranking agencies. In 2015, Guantao was listed as one of the China’s Most Influential Law Firms by ALB and got high ranking in 8 practice areas, including capital markets (domestic), corporate / M&A, energy & mineral resources, investment funds, projects & infrastructure by Chambers Asia Pacific 2016. Zhongmao Law Firm has great performance in real estate, corporate, finance, dispute resolution, etc. Awarded as Shanghai Top 10 Law Firm, Shanghai Outstanding Law Firm, Shanghai Civilized Law Firm, Zhongmao Law Firm is also the sole legal counsel of Shanghai World Expo project, Shanghai Tower project, National Convention and Exhibition Center project, etc. Sheng Leiming has been awarded as National Model Worker of Judicial Administrative System, Shanghai Leading Talent, Shanghai Top 10 Young Jurist, etc.
Cui Liguo, former director of managing committee of Guantao Law Firm, and Sheng Leiming, former director of Zhongmao Law Firm, would be co-directors of managing committee of the new Guantao Zhongmao Law Firm.
With nearly 500 lawyers and over 100 partners, Guantao Zhongmao Law Firm is very strong in 6 practice areas, namely, capital markets, corporate / M&A, insolvency & restructuring, projects & infrastructure, banking & finance and international commerce.
Restructuring of Shanghai Office is a highlight of this merger. The new Shanghai Office is formed through merger of former Shanghai Office of Guantao Law Firm, Zhongmao Law Firm, Tian Bo of Shanghai Zhonghua Law Firm, Qian Yewen of Shanghai Oushen Law Firm, etc. Its strong points include infrastructure, real estate, M&A, private equity, venture investment, banking & finance, insolvency & restructuring, issuance of share and bond, IP, bidding, arbitration, litigation, etc.
This merger would further streamline organization structure. Currently, Guantao Zhongmao has offices in 14 major cities at home and abroad, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Sydney. In February 2016, Guantao & Chow opened and provides services on PRC and Hong Kong law. With valuable resources in Beijing and Shanghai, this merger of two leading law firms of China’s two largest cities would better realize their respective advantages and enhance integrated legal services between Beijing and Shanghai.
Honesty, diligence, efficiency, high quality and pursuit of excellence are the motto of Guantao Zhongmao. Through this merger, the new Guantao Zhongmao Law Firm will integrate resources, improve professionalism and brand influence and provide better legal services for clients at home and abroad.
