Guantao partners Ni Dadao and Zhou Yuan named as CBLJ "The A-List 2024-25: Rising Stars"
On February 26, 2025, the internationally renowned legal media China Business Law Journal (CBLJ) unveiled its "The A-List 2024–25: Rising Stars”. Guantao partners Ni Dadao and Zhou Yuan were named to the prestigious ranking in recognition of their exceptional market performance. c
Ni Dadao
Partner, Guantao Shanghai Office
Practice Area: Construction and Commercial Dispute Resolution
Email: nidd@guantao.com
Ni Dadao demonstrates extensive expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters within the construction engineering and commercial dispute resolution sectors. He advised on landmark cases involving settlement and recovery of construction payments, claims for delays/defects, priority creditor rights, yin-yang contracts (dual-contract arrangements), de facto constructors, affiliation agreements, share transfer disputes, and corporate deadlock resolution. Mr. Ni delivered full-cycle legal services for major projects, covering: Project contracting structures (EPC, PPP, traditional construction); Bidding, subcontracting, and contract drafting/performance; Completion acceptance protocols and payment settlement mechanisms. He co-authored the Criminal Compliance Review and Risk Prevention for Private Construction Enterprises (Law Press China).
Zhou Yuan
Partner, Guantao Hangzhou Office
Practice Area: Sports and Entertainment, Dispute Resolution, Corporate and M&A
Email: zhouyuan@guantao.com
Zhou Yuan has provided legal services to high-profile clients including the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, Hangzhou Asian Para Games Organizing Committee, China Academy of Art, and Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology Hangzhou Research Institute. He specializes in corporate/M&A, litigation/arbitration, and sports law. Mr. Zhou serves as: China-Accredited Doping Control Officer; Deputy Secretary-General, Internship & Assessment Committee, Zhejiang Lawyers Association; Vice Chair, Sports Industry Committee, Hangzhou Lawyers Association; Deputy Director, Young Lawyers (International Talent) Working Committee, Xihu Branch, Hangzhou Lawyers Association; Deputy Secretary-General, Legal Advisory Committee, Hangzhou Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese; Vice President, Xihu District Association for Promoting Democracy; Council Member, Xihu District Intellectuals Association; Chair, Building Overseas Chinese Federation (Hangzhou).
Zhou Yuan was honored as LegalOne 2024 Stellar Accolade in Sports and Entertainment Law, and Outstanding Member (2021-2023) of the Legal Advisory Committee, Hangzhou Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.
To identify the most esteemed lawyers in the market, CBLJ invited corporate counsel and executives from Chinese and global businesses, partners from Chinese and international law firms, and legal experts across diverse industries to nominate their lawyers of choice. The "Rising Stars" category spotlights 40-or-under partners with exceptional market endorsements, highlighting their unique contributions and underscoring the market's expectations for these lawyers as future leaders of the profession.
