As the capital of Zhejiang, Hangzhou was ranked by the Economic Intelligence Unit in 2021 as the Chinese city with the highest economic potential. In 2022, Hangzhou’s economy surged by 1.5%, reaching RMB 1,875 billion. Particularly noteworthy is the digital economy and artificial intelligence sectors, which showcased year-on-year growth rates of 2.8% and 11.3% respectively, mirroring the city’s commitment to technological advancement. Hangzhou remains a major e-commerce and tech hub in China, home to large global tech companies such as the Alibaba Group, Ant Group, and NetEase. The Hangzhou Internet Court, with its focus on e-commerce and internet-related disputes, remains integral to the city’s legal framework. Driven by regulatory changes, cybersecurity, data compliance, and intellectual property remain pivotal areas on the legal front. Meanwhile, pandemic restrictions and a challenging economic landscape has led to an uptake in dispute resolution and insolvency matters in recent years. Serving primarily Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, Hangzhou’s legal market includes major Beijing and Shanghai-headquartered firms, as well as a number of influential local and regional entities.

King & Wood Mallesons’s Hangzhou office is renowned for offering comprehensive  services to a wide spectrum of clients ranging from large state-owned enterprises to high-tech start-ups. The branch is under the adept leadership of Guojun Ye, who brings extensive experience in IPOs, restructuring, and foreign direct investment. Heading the corporate team is Ming Yang, noted for his expertise in PE/VC investments. Conghua Jiang is a go-to figure for litigation and dispute resolution while Jin Liang excels in securities and capital markets, guiding clients through domestic and international IPOs and equity transfers. Yun Han’s advisory role for tech companies, Yingzhi Shan’s counsel across sectors such as TMT and healthcare, and counsel Hui Ren’s work in acquisitions and restructurings add to the firm’s capabilities.

The ‘professional, meticulous and efficient’ team at T&C Law Firm’s Hangzhou branch provides a diverse range of services in core practice areas including corporate law, commercial disputes, construction, and real estate. The office is under the leadership of Haiqiang Shen, a specialist in securities and capital markets who oversees various investment projects for trusts and funds, and Chonghua Lv. Jingzhong Zhang offers expertise in corporate matters, the capital market, and dispute resolution. Guoliang Jiang is another key player, focusing on corporate and commercial issues, while Lixin Wang brings significant arbitration experience. Li Sun extends expertise to the financial and real estate sectors, Shuai Zhao is experienced in financial litigation, and Jie Huang is involved in areas including private equity funds and commodity trade dispute resolution.

Dacheng Law Offices‘ significant footprint in the Zhejiang region extends to Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, and Zhoushan, offering experience in sectors like banking and finance, intellectual property, and compliance. The Hangzhou office is steered by Wanjun Xu. Jingjing Xia has expertise in civil and commercial law, advising a diverse clientele that includes state-owned enterprises, banks, and cutting-edge fintech and Internet companies. Moreover, Lin Zhang meticulously handles financial lease-related cases.

Jingtian & Gongcheng handles the full spectrum of work, including as capital markets, cross-border M&A and anti-monopoly, with an increased presence in the criminal litigation domain. The Hangzhou office, led by Zhenhua Xiang, offers expert guidance in IPOs, capital markets, and state-owned asset management, catering to both domestic and international clientele. Key figures include Zhenxiang Wang, who is adept in bankruptcy and finance matters, Ye Fang, whose specialties span litigation and intellectual property in diverse sectors like real estate and chemicals, and Ruilin Fan, who is active in the field of domestic securities.

The ‘dedicated’ Hangzhou team in Zhong Lun Law Firm is adept at addressing both disputes and transactional matters. Yueqi Chen, who heads the Hangzhou office, specialises in the real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors, providing guidance on project development, investment, corporate governance, and bankruptcy. Hao Li concentrates on the energy and power sector, including emerging areas such as wind power and photovoltaic energy storage, while Fangrong Wu’s primary focus lies in the real estate sector, encompassing acquisition transactions, investment, and dispute resolution. Both Yu Yao and Zhenyu Zhang offer insights on PE, investment funds, trusts, and mainland Chinese capital markets.

At Allbright Law Offices, Xiaohong Zhang specialises in securities, finance, and economic litigation, serving industries like automotive parts, manufacturing, and healthcare. Zhengzhong Lao offers expertise in securities, corporate affairs, and M&A, guiding clients through asset restructuring and both domestic and overseas listings across diverse sectors.

DeHeng Law Offices maintains a presence in Zhejiang with branches in Hangzhou and Wenzhou. Dingku Jiang, director of the Wenzhou office, hones his focus on bankruptcy and restructuring, having managed notable cases for large real estate firms. Da Lin oversees the office’s bankruptcy and restructuring committee, bringing expertise in corporate restructuring, architecture design, and M&A.

Guantao Law Firm’s Hangzhou branch caters to clients across the Yangtze River Delta region. Jun Zou brings expertise in international investment, trade, and dispute resolution for international clients. Jun Qian offers proficiency in capital markets, M&A, and aids in projects related to listings in Hong Kong, Singapore, and bankruptcy restructuring.

Jincheng Tongda & Neal’s Hangzhou office has expertise spanning investment, real estate, intellectual property, and international trade. Lijun Zhang, the branch’s executive director, concentrates on arbitration and mediation, and Wanbing Fan handles a wide range of matters ranging from corporate governance to banking and finance, providing both litigation and advisory solutions.

JunHe LLP in Hangzhou specialises in securities and capital markets, intellectual property rights, bankruptcy, and family wealth. Office head Xingzhong Zhang offers expertise in capital markets, handling public company listings, M&As, and restructuring for listed companies, and also works in asset management, real estate, and litigation. Xunan Chen serves clients in capital markets, working with both established companies and emerging startups across diverse sectors such as e-commerce, biotech, and high-end manufacturing. Additionally, Yi You advises on enterprise restructuring, domestic and overseas IPOs, financing, tax planning, and bankruptcy.

Led by Aizhen Zhang, Yingke Law Firm’s Hangzhou branch boasts specialists such as Hongfeng Fan, who directs the firm’s Zhejiang regional committee and handles civil and commercial cases. Bin Hu offers expertise in construction engineering such as risk control and dispute resolution, particularly for the steel industry. Meanwhile, Huang Wei heads the Zhejiang internet and e-commerce committee.