Ranking tables

Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms) | Global

China

The Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms) rankings table below has been designed to provide the most in-depth insights and reviews of the top ranked lawyers and law firms. The firms included in our rankings have been recommended by in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers. Our comprehensive research ensures you have all the information needed when looking to purchase legal services across China.

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Herbert Smith Freehills
    1
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)
    2025 | Band 1 | 15 Years Ranked

    Herbert Smith Freehills houses an accomplished team with exceptional credentials in the oil and gas, power and mining sectors. It is well placed to advise on cross-border M&A, off-take agreements, and sale and purchase agreements. The multilingual team, with key lawyers in Hong Kong and Beijing, is frequently engaged by state-owned entities and major corporates investing abroad, and also acts for foreign clients on inbound investments. It benefits from broad geographical expertise across the Asia-Pacific region. The team has an expanding presence handling international greenfield project financing and developments.

2

Band 2

  1. A&O Shearman
    2
    A&O Shearman
    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)
    2025 | Band 2 | 13 Years Ranked

    A&O Shearman is able to leverage its formidable international network to advise both domestic and international clients on cross-border work involving the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and the USA. It offers significant expertise across a broad range of sectors including power, petrochemicals, mining, and oil and gas, with particular emphasis on advising large Chinese companies and financial institutions on outbound transactions. The law firm regularly advises on transactional and regulatory matters as well as financing and contentious issues. It also offers notable experience advising on major joint venture formations and arrangements. 

  2. DLA Piper LLP
    2
    DLA Piper LLP
    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)
    2025 | Band 2 | 9 Years Ranked

    DLA Piper houses an established team that handles a range of transactional mandates, including acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and restructurings across the LNG, power and green energy sectors. The law firm services a wide range of domestic and international energy companies and lenders in the space. It offers additional experience assisting clients with wind and solar energy projects, advising on the financing and regulatory elements. 

3

Band 3

  1. Clifford Chance
    3
    Clifford Chance
    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)
    2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked

    The energy and natural resources team at Clifford Chance advises domestic and international clients on major energy transactions. It represents Chinese sponsors in major LNG developments and power and mining companies in acquisitions, drawing on the firm's broad expertise in renewables, clean technology and energy transition.

  2. Linklaters
    3
    Linklaters
    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)
    2025 | Band 3 | 14 Years Ranked

    Linklaters' respected energy and natural resources team is instructed on high-value mining and oil and gas acquisitions, and houses a group of skilled advisers for upstream and downstream mandates, frequently assisting with M&A, production sharing agreements, off-take arrangements and supply contracts. It is noted for assisting with considerable acquisitions in the renewable power space, particularly with regard to offshore wind farms and thermal power projects. The team is engaged by multinational and domestic energy and natural resources companies alike.

  3. White & Case LLP
    3
    White & Case LLP
    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)
    2025 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked

    White & Case's Greater China team collaborates closely with the firm's overseas offices to advise banks, other financial institutions and energy companies on the financing, development and acquisition of energy projects. The team regularly advises on power plants and petrochemical projects with cross-border elements across Asia and the Middle East.

  4. King & Wood Mallesons
    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)
    2025 | Band 3