AI can analyze contracts. It cannot read a courtroom, outmaneuver a cunning opponent, or know when a judge's silence means doubt. We use AI to work smarter — but judgment, strategy, and courtroom instinct remain irreplaceable.
"Your attorney speaks your language — legally and literally. And no algorithm can do that."
We are not anti-technology. We are pro-judgment. Here is where AI falls short — and where great lawyers make the difference.
AI cannot sense when a judge is skeptical, when opposing counsel is bluffing, or when the room's energy shifts. A seasoned lawyer adjusts strategy in real-time — that instinct saved our clients billions.
AI optimizes for the average. Winning landmark cases requires the creative leap — the unexpected argument, the novel procedural tool, the angle no algorithm would suggest. Our 8 SPC-recognized victories prove it.
Settlements happen between people, not machines. When your Chinese counterparty sits across the table, they respond to credibility, rapport, and gravitas — qualities no AI can project.
Understanding what a Chinese judge expects versus what an international client assumes is not translation — it is judgment. Our team, led by a dual-qualified lawyer with deep cross-border experience, navigates this gap daily, and no language model can replicate that lived experience.
We leverage AI for legal research, document review, evidence analysis, and case pattern recognition. It makes us faster and more thorough. But the final call — the strategy, the argument, the decision — is always human. AI is our tool. Judgment is our product.
Capabilities that most Chinese law firms cannot offer simultaneously — and that foreign clients need most when facing disputes in China.
In China, complex commercial disputes frequently span all three legal domains simultaneously. Few teams can navigate this convergence — we specialize in exactly the cases where other firms hesitate to engage.
Direct experience with DIFC Courts (Dubai), CIETAC, and HKIAC proceedings. We manage extraterritorial enforcement and multi-jurisdiction coordination — understanding both common law and civil law thinking.
400+ IP dispute victories, 8 landmark cases including selections for the Supreme People's Court Annual Report and recognition by Provincial High Courts and the All-China Lawyers Association, and dozens of well-known trademark recognitions. We don't just litigate — we deliver results that protect your brand in China.
Deep understanding of how Chinese courts, regulators, and counterparties actually operate. Our dual-bar team bridges your expectations and Chinese realities — achieving commercial results, not just legal victories.
Shaoping Chen is one of a small elite group of lawyers in China admitted to both US and PRC bars (California, Illinois, and PRC). This means your attorney understands your legal culture, contract expectations, and risk tolerance — not just Chinese law.
International firms charge premium rates for China work but often lack courtroom experience and local relationships. We offer the international perspective you expect, with the deep local execution capability that international firms outsource.
We deploy AI for legal research, evidence analysis, and document review — making us faster and more thorough than traditional practices. But every strategy, every argument, every decision is made by experienced lawyers. Technology sharpens the tool; judgment wields it.
We are an elite dispute resolution team at Longan Law Firm — one of China's earliest partnerships, established in 1992 — dedicated to serving foreign enterprises, investors, and expatriates navigating the complexities of the Chinese legal landscape.
Led by Shaoping Chen, the firm's first post-80s Senior Partner, our 8-member team brings together over 80 years of combined legal experience. Shaoping Chen holds a Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law and is admitted to the PRC Bar, California Bar, and Illinois Bar — one of a small elite group of lawyers in China holding both US and PRC qualifications. This gives us an unmatched edge in understanding what foreign clients need and delivering it within the Chinese legal framework.
We have successfully represented global clients including Intel, Pfizer, Harley-Davidson, Envista, Aspen Pharmacare, Baker McKenzie, and foreign embassies, as well as major Chinese SOEs such as Poly Group, China Tobacco International, and China National Chemical Engineering.
Our practice is built on three pillars: deep specialization in commercial disputes and IP enforcement, genuine cross-border capability, and a relentless focus on results that matter to our clients' businesses. We embrace AI as a powerful tool for research and analysis — but we never confuse processing power with professional judgment.
Selected for the Supreme People's Court Annual Report and recognized by Provincial High Courts and the All-China Lawyers Association.
Cumulative disputed amounts successfully managed across commercial litigation, arbitration, and enforcement proceedings.
Intel, Pfizer, Harley-Davidson, Envista, Aspen, Baker McKenzie, and foreign embassies trust us with their China matters.
Deep integration of AI tools for research, document review, and pattern recognition — always with human judgment at the final decision point.
Published columnist on LexisNexis China; adjunct professor at CUPL and CFAU; recognized expert on foreign-related legal matters.
From first contact to case resolution — transparent, responsive, and results-driven.
Submit your situation via our form or email. We respond within 24 hours with an initial assessment of your legal position and prospects.
We develop a tailored legal strategy, explain the Chinese legal context in terms you understand, and agree on scope and fee structure before any commitment.
We execute the strategy with regular progress updates in English. You receive clear timelines, risk assessments, and decision points — no surprises.
Whether through litigation, arbitration, or negotiated settlement, we deliver the outcome that best protects your business interests in China.
Two core practice areas where our team's depth of experience translates directly into client outcomes.
From high-stakes SOE disputes to cross-border arbitration, we handle the cases where outcomes truly matter.
We are problem-solving experts — not just litigators. Our track record includes landmark Supreme Court victories and maximum statutory damages.
Leveraging our dual-jurisdictional team to help foreign clients invest, operate, and protect their interests in China.
A carefully assembled team with complementary strengths, combining deep Chinese law expertise with international legal training. Your case is handled by experienced attorneys — not junior associates.
Admitted to practice in three jurisdictions (PRC, California, Illinois), Shaoping Chen is one of a small elite group of lawyers in China holding dual US-China bar admissions. The firm's first post-80s Senior Partner, he has handled 1,000+ cases and secured 8 landmark decisions recognized by the Supreme People's Court and provincial judiciaries. His unique qualification enables him to bridge the gap between international clients' expectations and Chinese legal realities. He serves as adjunct professor at China University of Political Science and Law and China Foreign Affairs University, and is a published columnist on LexisNexis China.
With over two decades of courtroom experience, Mr. Feng specializes in complex civil and commercial dispute resolution and criminal defense. His deep familiarity with Chinese court procedures and judicial culture makes him a formidable advocate in the most challenging cases. He brings strategic gravitas to the team's practice.
A trusted advisor to major state-owned enterprises and multinational clients, Ms. Xie brings extensive experience in commercial dispute resolution, IP litigation, and corporate legal affairs. Her methodical approach to case strategy and deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks make her invaluable in complex multi-party disputes.
Ms. Xu focuses on commercial dispute resolution and IP enforcement, with particular expertise in trademark matters and cross-jurisdictional coordination. Her dual capability in both commercial and IP practice areas allows her to handle cases where business disputes and intellectual property issues intersect — a common scenario for foreign clients.
Qi Zhou specializes in cross-border transactions, intellectual property, commercial dispute resolution, and non-litigation legal services. She brings valuable international perspective and expertise to our cross-border practice team, with particular strength in Australia-China legal matters.
Specializes in commercial dispute resolution and IP matters, with strong capabilities in legal research, case strategy, and client communication.
Concentrates on commercial disputes and IP cases, contributing rigorous analytical skills and meticulous case management to the team.
A selection of landmark matters demonstrating our ability to deliver results in the most complex and high-stakes disputes.
Our team represented Poly Group subsidiaries (China Arts Corporation and China Top Corporation) against Yanyuan Fund in a complex private equity dispute involving nearly RMB 1.2 billion across multiple courts including the Shanghai Financial Court, Beijing Third Intermediate Court, Bengbu Intermediate Court, and Shenzhen Qianhai Court.
The plaintiff utilized forged guarantees and fabricated large-scale oil transactions to pursue joint liability claims against our clients through a complex financing structure. The case involved intertwined civil, administrative, and criminal elements across multiple jurisdictions.
We bypassed the mere authenticity of the seal and focused on three core defenses: (1) the underlying transaction was fabricated, (2) the guarantee was forged, and (3) the plaintiff was not a bona fide third party. We aggressively applied for seal authentication and pushed the court to transfer criminal clues to law enforcement authorities.
The court dismissed all claims against our clients, fully protecting massive state-owned assets. The plaintiff was subsequently referred for criminal investigation for suspected illegal absorption of public deposits. The total series of disputes involved nearly RMB 1 billion in claims, with victories across all venues.
An international trade contract dispute between our client Zhongyi Far East Import & Export Co., Ltd. (a Chinese SOE subsidiary) and World Metals & Alloys (FZC), a UAE-based entity, was submitted to arbitration before the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts (DIFC-LCIA).
The arbitration was conducted in a foreign jurisdiction under DIFC-LCIA rules, requiring navigation of unfamiliar procedural frameworks, management of cross-border evidence, and defense against claims threatening significant state-owned assets.
Leveraging our team's international legal training and bilingual capability, we developed a comprehensive defense strategy tailored to DIFC-LCIA procedural requirements, systematically dismantling the opponent's factual and legal claims while ensuring our client's state-owned assets were fully protected.
The arbitral tribunal dismissed all of the opponent's claims in their entirety and ordered the opponent to reimburse the arbitration costs we had advanced. State assets were fully protected from any loss.
A highly complex bulk commodity trade and financing dispute over oil products with a total disputed amount exceeding RMB 100 million, involving a state-owned enterprise under the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (8th Division).
The buyer breached the contract and engaged in unauthorized resale, while multiple third parties claimed property rights over the same goods. The disputed assets were simultaneously under judicial seizure by both the Wuhan Maritime Court and the Suzhou Intermediate Court — a deadlock that threatened the client's entire asset base.
We formulated a coordinated multi-jurisdictional litigation strategy, dismantled the fake control chain created by third parties, and clearly established the legal precedence of our client's title retention and movable property pledges. We worked simultaneously with multiple courts to break the judicial seizure deadlock.
We successfully unsealed the assets, obtained judicial confirmation of our client's sole ownership and exclusive control of the goods, recovered over RMB 10 million in compensation, and defeated all third-party claims. State assets were fully secured.
Represented a central SOE subsidiary in a construction land use contract dispute against an institution affiliated with a national ministry. The dispute had persisted for over a decade, with the subject amount exceeding RMB 400 million.
The case was exceptionally complex due to its long history, the involvement of a government-affiliated entity as the opposing party, and the intertwined relationship between contract performance, land rights, and regulatory approvals that had evolved over more than ten years. Additionally, third-party creditors had filed claims exceeding RMB 700 million against the client.
We developed a dual-track approach: vigorously litigating the underlying dispute while simultaneously negotiating a structured settlement. Through persistent and carefully calibrated negotiations, we secured an agreement where the opposing party would pay RMB 180 million as the first installment with no preconditions.
Won both first and second instance trials. Secured a favorable settlement that included an upfront payment of RMB 180 million and total recovery well in excess of RMB 250 million, while successfully neutralizing the threat from third-party creditor claims.
Represented over 100 individual homebuyers in a dispute with Tianyuan and Lihui real estate companies, with total claims exceeding RMB 120 million (including interest). The developers were insolvent, with their legal representative declared a dishonest judgment debtor.
The defendants were already insolvent with multiple enforcement proceedings against them. The key challenge was piercing the corporate veil to reach the assets of the controlling shareholder, while navigating the risk that other creditors could trigger bankruptcy proceedings and dilute our clients' recovery.
For over 95% of the cases, we achieved favorable mediated settlements through negotiation. For the remaining cases, we won full judgments where the court found the two defendant companies' finances were commingled and imposed joint liability. We then pursued a creative strategy of acquiring homebuyers' claims and negotiating set-off rights against the debtor's receivables.
All clients received 100% compensation by 2023. The court confirmed the defendants' financial commingling and imposed joint liability on both companies and their controlling shareholder — a rare outcome in Chinese civil litigation.
Represented 10 peony oil-planting farming households in a series of agricultural insurance contract disputes against PICC Property & Casualty Yanbian Branch, involving crop losses that the insurer initially refused to adequately compensate.
Agricultural insurance cases in China rarely result in significant payouts. The insurer initially offered less than RMB 1 million in total compensation — a fraction of the actual losses. Proving the extent of crop damage and establishing the proper interpretation of ambiguous insurance policy terms presented significant challenges.
We engaged agricultural experts to assess actual damages, meticulously analyzed the insurance policy terms, and demonstrated that the insurer's interpretation was inconsistent with both the policy language and the reasonable expectations of the insured farmers. We combined litigation pressure with negotiation to progressively improve the settlement position.
Secured favorable mediation resulting in total insurance compensation of RMB 37.95 million — an increase of several tens of times over the insurer's initial offer. One of the highest payout amounts ever achieved in Chinese agricultural insurance litigation.
Scud initiated over 50 lawsuits against Aigo across multiple jurisdictions (including the Supreme People's Court, Beijing High Court, Beijing IP Court, Shenzhen Intermediate Court, and district courts), claiming RMB 40 million+ in damages for trademark infringement regarding the use of the "Aigo" brand on power banks — the client's most important product line.
The trademarks in question utilized identical text, the goods belonged to the same Nice classification category, and the plaintiff possessed the advantage of filing first across more than 50 proceedings. The sheer volume and geographical spread of litigation created enormous pressure on the client's resources and business operations.
We submitted extensive historical evidence proving Aigo's prior use since 1996, initiated invalidation proceedings against the plaintiff's trademark at the CNIPA, and filed counter-suits for unfair competition to demonstrate our client's lawful usage. We coordinated defense across all 50+ cases simultaneously to ensure consistency.
Total victory — all of the plaintiff's claims were dismissed by the courts. The parties eventually signed a peaceful coexistence settlement, resulting in zero compensation paid by our client. Aigo retained full rights to continue using its brand on power banks.
A trademark revocation administrative dispute between ThundeRobot (Qingdao Lexin Technology) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), regarding the revocation of the "ThundeRobot" trademark for alleged non-use.
Before our intervention, the client had completely lost both the first and second instance trials. The only remaining option was a retrial petition to the Supreme People's Court — a remedy granted in fewer than 1% of cases. The legal question involved whether the use of specific sub-concept goods constitutes valid use of broader registered goods.
We constructed a novel legal argument asserting that the actual use of specific sub-concept goods (laptops) functionally constitutes the valid use of the broader super-concept goods (computers) registered in the trademark. This argument had no direct precedent in Chinese trademark law.
The Supreme People's Court ordered a retrial, completely reversed the previous adverse judgments, and ruled in favor of our client. This case was selected as a typical case in the Supreme Court's 2025 Annual Report on Intellectual Property Cases — a distinction given to fewer than 50 cases nationwide each year.
Represented Beijing Century Baiqiang Furniture in trademark infringement and unfair competition proceedings against Shanghai Bangying and related entities. The case also involved a series of administrative proceedings where we sought well-known trademark recognition for Baiqiang's marks.
Obtaining well-known trademark recognition in China is extremely difficult, requiring proof of extensive use, market reputation, and advertising reach. Simultaneously, we needed to prove the defendant's infringement caused substantial damages in a market where calculating actual losses for furniture brands is inherently complex.
In the administrative proceedings, we compiled comprehensive evidence of the brand's long history, extensive market presence, and consumer recognition. In the infringement proceedings, we presented detailed evidence of the defendant's commercial scale, willful infringement, and the damage to our client's market position.
Won both first and second instance trials. The court awarded nearly RMB 12 million in damages — one of the highest awards in Shanghai courts for trademark infringement and unfair competition. The Supreme People's Court, Beijing High Court, and CNIPA cumulatively recognized Baiqiang's trademarks as well-known on more than 10 occasions. The case was selected as one of the 2022 Shanghai Courts' Top 10 IP Protection Cases.
Represented Qiaodan Sports (Third Party) in 78 administrative lawsuits initiated by basketball legend Michael Jordan against the Trademark Review Board (now CNIPA), challenging the registration of "乔丹" (Qiaodan, the Chinese transliteration of "Jordan") trademarks. This was one of the largest and most high-profile trademark disputes in Chinese history.
The case involved unprecedented scale (78 parallel proceedings), extreme public scrutiny, and complex legal questions about name rights, image rights, and the intersection of civil law personality rights with trademark law — issues with little precedent in Chinese jurisprudence.
We developed a unified defense strategy across all 78 cases, meticulously distinguishing between the Chinese character "乔丹" and Michael Jordan's English name, and arguing that the relevant Chinese public would not automatically associate the transliterated mark with the individual. We coordinated with evidence across all proceedings to maintain consistency.
Won both first and second instance trials. The case was selected as one of the 2015 Top 10 IP Cases by the All-China Lawyers Association. In 2019, the Supreme People's Court featured the case in its "70 Years of Justice" special report, acknowledging its significant value in Chinese legal history.
Represented Shanghai Diandianle Information Technology in trademark infringement and unfair competition proceedings against Shanghai Xiniu Interactive Network Technology and related parties regarding gaming-related IP assets.
Proving damages in software and gaming IP cases is notoriously difficult. The first instance court awarded only minimal damages, far below the actual harm suffered by our client.
We successfully applied for an Evidence Production Order from the Shanghai IP Court — the first such order issued since the court's establishment — compelling the defendant to produce key financial and operational data. This innovative use of procedural tools enabled us to establish the full extent of infringement.
The second instance court reversed the first instance judgment and awarded maximum statutory damages, increasing the compensation by more than tenfold. The case was selected as one of the 2019 Shanghai Courts' Top 10 IP Protection Cases.
Represented HuaXiaTianxin in a series of interrelated trade secret disputes spanning both civil litigation and criminal proceedings against LongRuan, involving allegations of misappropriation of proprietary technical information.
The case required simultaneous management of civil claims for damages and criminal exposure for our client's personnel. The convergence of civil and criminal proceedings created a scenario where any misstep in one forum could have devastating consequences in the other.
We leveraged our deep experience in integrated civil-criminal litigation to develop a coordinated defense strategy. In the criminal proceedings, we systematically challenged the prosecution's evidence on trade secret definition, access control measures, and the information's commercial value, while simultaneously negotiating from a position of strength in the civil matters.
Achieved a complete victory in the criminal case — the procuratorate issued a decision of non-prosecution, clearing our client of all criminal liability. The civil matters were resolved favorably, protecting both the client's business operations and its personnel from any adverse consequences.
The questions you're thinking about but might hesitate to ask — answered directly.
We offer flexible fee arrangements tailored to each case. Options include hourly rates, fixed-fee packages for defined scope work, and success-fee components for commercial disputes where appropriate. During your free case assessment, we discuss which structure best fits your situation and provide a transparent estimate before you commit. No hidden costs.
First-instance court proceedings typically take 6-12 months. Appeals add another 3-6 months. Arbitration (CIETAC, HKIAC) generally takes 6-9 months. However, complex cases involving multiple jurisdictions or civil-criminal convergence can take longer. We provide realistic timelines at the outset and keep you updated on any developments that may affect the schedule.
Absolutely. Shaoping Chen and our team are fully bilingual in English and Mandarin. All client communications, strategy memos, and progress reports are provided in English. Court documents and filings are in Chinese (as required by law), but we provide English translations and explanations. You will never be left wondering what is happening with your case.
Yes — and our track record proves it. Chinese courts are increasingly professional and rule-of-law oriented, especially in commercial and IP matters. Foreign parties are not disadvantaged simply for being foreign. The key is having a team that understands both the written law and how Chinese courts actually apply it. Our 1,000+ cases and 8 landmark victories speak for themselves.
Attorney-client privilege is fundamental to our practice. We maintain strict confidentiality protocols and can execute non-disclosure agreements before receiving any sensitive information. For clients with specific data security requirements (e.g., GDPR compliance), we work with your compliance team to ensure all data handling meets your standards.
This is precisely where we excel. Our Sino-US dual-licensed team is specifically designed for cross-border disputes. We regularly handle cases involving parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards in China, and coordination with foreign counsel. We can serve as your single point of contact for the China aspect of any international dispute.
International firms bring global brand recognition, but their China offices often have limited courtroom experience and rely on local co-counsel for litigation. We ARE the local counsel — with the crucial difference that we understand your legal culture and expectations because our lead attorney is US-licensed. You get deep local execution capability without the communication gap, at a more competitive fee structure.
Absolutely — and deeply. We use AI for legal research across multiple databases simultaneously, rapid document review in large-scale disputes, evidence pattern recognition, and case outcome analysis. This makes us significantly faster and more thorough than traditional practices. The "Beyond" in our name means we go further than AI alone can take you. AI processes information; lawyers provide judgment. You get both working together.
Submit your situation and receive an initial assessment within 24 hours — no obligation, no hidden costs.