Overview
Founded in 1992, Haiwen & Partners is experienced in cross-border securities, M&A transactions, private equity, and general corporate and commercial dispute resolution. Media and entertainment is one of the firm’s key industry sectors. It is often involved in the development of film and television projects, formation of production and financing vehicles, and other new media matters. The firm currently has more than 400 lawyers and paralegals in total working at its Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen offices. Beijing-based partner Yu Cao is a reputable entertainment lawyer. On top of his profound understanding of the media industry, he is also experienced in general corporate and finance transactions.
Client feedback
“The firm has solid professional expertise and rich experience in capital markets, investment and financing businesses. The team responds promptly, communicates smoothly and delivers high-quality, practical legal solutions. They fully understand commercial demands and effectively control legal risks for projects.” – Capital markets
“Experience in the capital market and quick feedback.” – Capital markets
“Haiwen would always go the extra mile to deliver the solution that best fits the client's interest whilst ensuring compliance, in complex cases.” – Competition/antitrust
“1. They are very detail-orientated, and they are familiar with relevant laws and regulations and can provide opinions based on the client's actual needs. 2. They are very sophisticated during negotiations.” – Corporate and M&A
“Haiwen team is very responsive and the advice are practical.” – Corporate and M&A
“Comprehensive expert network, in-depth legal knowledge and prompt feedback.” – Dispute resolution
“The Haiwen team is efficient and can quickly respond to client needs.” – Dispute resolution
“Provide professional legal advice to help with the building of an investment agreement structure and participate in core business negotiation meetings.” – Infrastructure
“Professional, responsive, clear, and trustworthy.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, fast-responding, thinking ahead.” – Investment funds
“What the Haiwen team does particularly well is their ability to combine solid legal judgement with a very pragmatic approach. In complex situations, they do not just focus on legal analysis but on helping us find workable paths forward that can actually be implemented. They are also strong in navigating discussions that involve multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Their advice is typically well-balanced, taking into account not only legal considerations but also business context and people's impact. Another strength is their responsiveness and sense of ownership. They stay closely engaged throughout the process and are willing to work through issues with us, rather than simply providing standalone opinions.” – Labour and employment
“The team brings rich experience in employee optimisation projects, offering timely feedback, adequate staffing and the ability to work bilingually.” – Labour and employment
The Haiwen team is very mature and effective in employment dispute negotiation. Also, they work via a team collaboration which helps improve overall efficiency with reasonable charges.” – Labour and employment
“Haiwen & Partners stands out for its exceptional expertise in the film and entertainment industry. As an independent production company, we rely on them for their deep understanding of the entire content lifecycle, from underlying IP acquisition and copyright clearance to complex financing and distribution arrangements. The team at Haiwen, particularly the team led by Mr Yu Cao, has been instrumental to our success. Their deep industry insight, particularly in the film and entertainment sector, distinguishes them from other firms. They don't just provide legal advice; they offer commercially astute counsel that aligns with our strategic objectives. What they do particularly well is balancing rigorous legal risk management with commercial feasibility. They provide creative, actionable solutions that protect our interests while keeping production and distribution schedules on track. Their sophisticated grasp of domestic regulatory requirements and international licensing standards is invaluable for our projects. Their responsiveness and ability to handle high-pressure negotiation scenarios consistently provide us with a significant competitive advantage.” – Media and entertainment
Yu Cao
“Yu Cao is widely regarded as a preeminent authority in entertainment law, arguably the leading practitioner in China. We rely heavily on his profound expertise, which is backed by a vast portfolio of hands-on experience in the film industry. What makes Yu Cao exceptional is that he does not merely provide theoretical legal advice; his counsel is highly practical, reliable, and grounded in real-world application. We have found his approach to be meticulous and exceptionally thorough, with a 'hands-on' style that ensures he is personally involved in our critical projects. Furthermore, his ability to foresee potential challenges before they arise is invaluable. His proactive, forward-thinking strategy consistently protects our interests, and to date, every project and contract handled under his supervision has been flawlessly executed without any issues.”
Chao Huo
“Huo is highly professional, diligent and responsive. Huo has a solid grasp of legal knowledge, delivers accurate solutions and communicates clearly. Work is always completed efficiently with great attention to details.”
Chao Li
“Effective feedback.”
Fangzheng Li
“He is professional in dispute resolution.”
“Attorney Li fully grasps clients’ needs and delivers advice based on actual circumstances rather than assumptions. His opinions are well-grounded and practical. Attorney Li is amiable in communication, and interactions with him are always pleasant and harmonious.”
Yuxiang Liu
“What stands out most about Yuxiang is his ability to combine strong legal judgement with a very forward-looking and practical approach. In complex and high-pressure situations, he remains calm, structured, and focused on finding workable solutions, even when there are no straightforward answers. He is particularly strong in anticipating potential risks early on and helping us think through issues in a structured way. This enables us to stay ahead of challenges rather than reacting to them, which is especially valuable in matters with significant organisational impact. He is also a highly reliable and effective communicator, able to engage with different stakeholders clearly and constructively and to support alignment in complex situations involving multiple perspectives.”
“Strong client relationship management, rich experience and innovative solutions.”
“Very mature on employment dispute negotiation and sensitive to favourable points for clients.”
Xiaoqiang Qian
“Under Xiaoqiang’s leadership, the team not only provides professional legal advice but also consistently delivers commercially viable solutions. Their deep understanding of our business landscape ensures that our best interests are met while maintaining full regulatory compliance despite complex challenges.”
Boya Shen
“Very professional, remind the client of a lot of things, help the client to succeed while clearly drawing the redline of key clauses for the client.”
Huijuan Sun
“Comprehensive expert network, in-depth legal knowledge and prompt feedback.”
Qiong Wu
“Qiong Wu is quite good.”
Bo Yan
“Yan and his team are very responsive, and their advice is practical.”
Jian Zhou
“Professional, highly responsive, and able to provide creative and insightful advice.”
Yige Zou
“Yige is a highly capable and dedicated lawyer. Below are some of their key positive attributes and areas where they excel:
1. Strong Legal Acumen
Yige demonstrates a solid grasp of complex legal concepts and is able to apply them pragmatically to real-world situations. Their analytical skills allow them to identify key issues quickly and provide well-reasoned advice.
2. Attention to Detail
Yige is meticulous in their work, whether drafting documents, reviewing contracts, or conducting due diligence. They rarely miss critical points, which helps avoid downstream risks.
3. Responsiveness and Reliability
Yige is known for being highly responsive and dependable. Clients and colleagues can count on them to meet deadlines and follow through on commitments without repeated follow-ups.
4. Strong Communication Skills
Yige articulates legal issues clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally. They are able to explain complex legal matters to non-legal stakeholders in an understandable way.
5. Team Player
Yige works well within a team environment, collaborating effectively with colleagues across different practice areas. They are supportive, open to feedback, and willing to go the extra mile to help the team succeed.
6. Client-Focused Mindset
Yige genuinely cares about client outcomes. They take the time to understand client needs and business objectives and strive to deliver practical, solution-orientated legal advice.”
