Guantao Law Firm

Founded in Beijing in 1994, Guantao Law Firm is one of the leading law firms in China. After almost three decades of expansion and innovation, Guantao now has a team of over 500 partners and 1,900 lawyers .

Full spectrum offerings

With 37 domestic and overseas offices , Guantao provides international and Chinese clients with comprehensive legal services, covering corporate/M&A, private equity and venture capital, real estate and construction, capital markets, banking and finance, restructuring and insolvency, projects and infrastructures, dispute resolution, international trade and WTO, antitrust, intellectual property, innovative financing and structured products, administrative law, and maritime and admiralty.

In February 2018, Guantao and Ashurst established a Joint Operation Office (JOO) in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Through its strong relationship with Ashurst, Guantao aims to continue to deliver excellent service while sharing resources and information for the benefit of its domestic and international clients.

Industry expertise

Guantao advises clients across a wide range of industries, including technology, infrastructure, construction, real estate, mechanical engineering and manufacturing, environmental protection, banking, securities, insurance, telecommunications, education, life sciences and healthcare, transportation, energy and natural resources.

Market recognition

Over the years, Guantao has been widely recognised in major legal directories such as Chambers, the Legal 500, IFLR and ALB for its expertise in capital markets, corporate/M&A, restructuring and insolvency, projects and infrastructure, energy, banking and finance, and international trade.

In the latest edition of Chambers China, Guantao is ranked as Band 1 in Corporate/Commercial: Beijing and Shanghai and is also ranked in Corporate/M&A, Environment, Projects & Infrastructure and Real Estate in the PRC.

Research capability

Guantao's legal research centre, formed by its senior lawyers, tracks the latest legislative developments and the promulgation of new laws, governmental regulations and departmental rules in China, offering timely analyses and in-depth reports to Guantao's clients to help them navigate the fast-evolving legal and regulatory landscape.

Guantao's established relationship with Chinese local governments and regulators

Guantao has established a solid long-term relationship with government agencies at both central and local levels, including the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, the state-owned Asset Supervision and Administration Commission, the Market Administration for Market Regulation, the Administration of Foreign Exchange and the Ministry of Justice.

Guantao particularly specialises in administrative law and has been a trusted legal adviser to several central and local government agencies on various administrative law matters. Those agencies include, but are not limited to the Ministry of Justice, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing Municipal Division of Development and Reform, Shanghai Finance Administration Bureau, and Chengdu Municipal Division of Commerce.

Guantao has successfully advised local governments on foreign direct investment projects in China, including assisting the governments of Chengdu, Jinhua, Dalian and Ningjin on their cooperation with domestic and international companies.

Drawing on its extensive experience advising government agencies, Guantao clearly understands the concerns of governments about FDI projects and can identify key issues during the full life cycle of such projects, such as foreign investment, land acquisition and development, employment, foreign exchange, environment protection, and tax issues. Guantao, therefore, can offer practical advice and solutions to corporate clients looking to establish or expand their businesses in China and help them facilitate cooperation with local governments and navigate the challenges and risks they might face when investing in China.