Biography
Benran is a partner of Haiwen & Partners. He has extensive experience in advising international and Chinese private equity funds, sovereign funds and state-owned enterprises, tech companies, manufacturing companies, other financial and strategic investors in complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, growth capital and coinvestment transactions, joint ventures as well as exits.
Benran joined Haiwen & Partners in February 2024 as partner. Before joining Haiwen, Benran was a partner of Shanghai Zhaosheng Law Firm (which is in joint operation with Linklaters in China), heading the firm’s Beijing corporate practice. Prior to this, Benran had worked in Linklaters from 2012 to 2016 and in Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP from 2017 to 2018, respectively.
Benran joined Haiwen & Partners in February 2024 as partner. Before joining Haiwen, Benran was a partner of Shanghai Zhaosheng Law Firm (which is in joint operation with Linklaters in China), heading the firm’s Beijing corporate practice. Prior to this, Benran had worked in Linklaters from 2012 to 2016 and in Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP from 2017 to 2018, respectively.
Recent matter/case highlights
- Advised TikTok on the structuring of its e-commerce expansion in Indonesia, including the acquisition of Tokopedia for more than US$1 billion and related structural and regulatory issues.
- Advised China Resources on its acquisition of a majority stake in JCET Group for consideration exceeding RMB1 billion.
- Advised Baiyin Nonferrous Group on its proposed acquisition of 100% of Serrote Participações S.A., a copper-gold mining asset, from UK investment fund Appian Capital.
- Advised a listed company on its proposed acquisition of a controlling stake in a UK-headquartered manufacturing business operating across more than 10 European countries, involving a major asset restructuring.
- Advised LRQA on its bolt-on acquisition of ELEVATE, an industry leader in ESG and supply-chain services.
Key practice areas
- M&A
- Private equity
Academic qualifications
- LL.M., London School of Economics and Political Science
- LL.B., China University of Political Science and Law
