Established in 2004, Han Kun Law Offices has developed aggressively from its Beijing origins. It has not only expanded its bench of lawyers, but it is also recognised in various industries, such as telecommunications, healthcare and retail. The firm now has six offices: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Haikou, Wuhan and Hong Kong.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is especially known for its high-quality work and regularly advises clients in capital markets, M&A, private equity and investment funds.
Key clients
Key clients include IDG Capital, Sequoia Fund, Walmart, Baidu, Tencent, China Everbright Bank and Meituan.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
The firm’s overseas IPO practice has been busy in the research period. It advised and acted as the PRC counsel for Tencent Music Entertainment Group on its listing by way of introduction on the main board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Prior to this listing, it acted on the same client’s listing in the US.
Han Kun also represented Lotus Technology, a global luxury electric vehicle maker, on its de-SPAC and proposed business combination with L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp.
Another notable deal is that the team
advised Li Auto, a listed company in the US and Hong Kong, on its up to S$2 billion of American depositary shares through the US at-the-market offering. This is the first at-the-market offering by a US-listed issuer with a dual primary listing in Hong Kong.
On the M&A side, the firm represented National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund Phase II in its establishment of a joint venture, Changjiang Storage Phase II Technology; acted as the PRC counsel to RBC Bearings Incorporated for its acquisition of the DODGE mechanical power transmission division of Asea Brown Boveri.
In early 2022, Han Kun Law Offices and Shanghai Young-Ben Law Firm reached an agreement for Han Kun’s Shanghai office to absorb Young-Ben.
In 2022, the firm hired Ping Xu and Jianhui Li from Tian Yuan Law Firm, Shuting Qi from Kirkland & Ellis, Sheldon Chen and Clarence Chung from Llinks Law Offices and Yan Xia from Shihui Partners.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Tencent’s $5 billion and $6 billion global medium-term notes.
China Unicom’s Rmb77.914 billion mixed ownership reform.
Tencent Music Entertainment Group’s Hong Kong IPO.
Li Auto’s $2 billion
at-the-market offering of shares.
Meituan Dianping’s HK$32.6 billion Hong Kong IPO.
ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance’s HK$11.531 billion H-share listing.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Private equity
“Han Kun Law Offices provided excellent legal support for us, including QFLP fund's applying and establishment, private equity investment, all the policy of the fund managers.”
“Helped us to get the QFLP licence, gave us a lot of useful legal opinion. Han Kun are also very proficient in finance and private equity investment.”
Investment funds
“Han Kun was a great partner and able to manage all aspects of the project, including liaising with the underlying client to ensure everything went smoothly.”
“Efficient and timely feedback; solid experience, supported by their industrial and deal data; constructive advice to assist our investment decisions.”
“Professional, effective.”
“Quite responsive. Strong commercial sense.”
“They provide great ideas.”
M&A
“Han Kun is very responsible and skilful in designing minority shareholders' protection clauses.”
“Quick response, practical problem-solving skills, first priority and deep insight in real estate industry.”
“The team has comprehensive experience in the pharma industry and is able to provide solutions to client's daily inquiries and contract review requests in a timely manner.”
Banking and finance
“Han Kun Law Offices always provide us with prompt and practicable legal advice, helping us to cope with various legal issues, and they support the business team effectively.”
Leveraged finance
“Bold enough to think from the client's side, to advise some innovation on deal terms, and cautious enough to check if we have any unconsidered issues.”
Private equity
“Han Kun is able to coordinate all resources within the firm efficiently and provide outstanding services.”
Insolvency
“They are dedicated, experienced and highly responsive. They show their expertise and professionalism in all cases, especially for insolvency-related issues.”
Lawyer Feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Xiaotong Pei
“Xiaotong Pei is responsive, communicative and solutions orientated.”
Shuting Qi
“Shuting is very responsible and understands the takeover practice very well.”
Chaoying Li
“Chaoying Li always handles our sophisticated legal issues and coordinates the resources we need inside Han Kun.”
Pei Zhao
“Efficient communication. Solid experience and expertise in fund formation and tailored designing of fund terms.”
Wei Li
“Solid experience in PE/VC investment deals; efficient and timely communication and feedback; innovative advice on complicated deal issues.”
Jun Zhu
“Thinks ahead for the client.”
Sheng Li
“Always innovative and client orientated. He has a very wide vision across different industry sectors.”
Shiwen Dong
“Quick response, problem-solving, with strong commercial-driven sense.”
Hong (Allison) Huang
“Strong ability to coordinate with different teams. Solid legal skills. Excellent in communicating with clients and other parties.”
Liming Yuan
“Professional with good client relationship management.”
Li Yang
"She is very responsible and proficient, always gives us the most helpful legal service."
Xi Chen
“She is very proficient to give us legal support, and always provides feedback quickly.”
Yaxing Zhang
“Yaxing has extensive experience in dispute resolution and insolvency. He is truly reliable and a genuine solution provider. We don't need a problem finder, like most of the lawyers do, but someone creative, seasoned, that can figure out a feasible and effective solution for us. That's why Yaxing is different.”
Jin Qian
“Strong commercial sense. Responsive. Good local knowledge. Regular follow-ups/newsletters for legal developments.”
Li Zhang
“Strong commercial sense. Good fee transparency. Responsive and responsible.”
