On February 26, 2025, following extensive research, China Business Law Journal announced the China practice edition of "The A-List 2024-25: Rising Stars", which includes 100 lawyers practising Chinese law, as well as 20 lawyers from foreign law firms or working overseas. Eight Han Kun lawyers, Wenle Du, Aaron Gu, Xun Li, Jiaxin Liu, Jin Qian, Xin Wang, Lin Zhou, and Lei Zhu (listed alphabetically by surname)—were selected for their excellence and contributions.
Wenle Du
Mr. Wenle Du specializes in bankruptcy and restructuring, with over a decade of legal experience. He has been recognized as a Recommended Lawyer in Bankruptcy and Restructuring by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. He has participated in numerous high-impact bankruptcy and restructuring cases concerning a wide range of industries, such as shipping, real estate, petrochemicals, industrial parks, equipment manufacturing, and food. In these cases, he has served in various roles, including as a member of the administrator and legal advisor to investors, debtors, and major creditors. Notable cases Mr. Du has handled include the restructuring of Peking University Founder Group and its affiliated companies, Geo-Jade Petroleum Co., Ltd. (600759), Jilin Liyuan Precision Manufacturing Co., Ltd (002501), Haohua Junhua Group Co., Ltd. and its affiliated companies, and Dongguan FengHai Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd. Several of these cases were recognized as "Top 10 Commercial Cases of Chinese Courts" or selected as typical cases by local courts.
Aaron Gu
Mr. Gu focuses on corporate, regulatory compliance and transactional services for the life sciences, biopharmaceutical, medical, and healthcare industries, including biosecurity and human genetic resource issues, clinical trial matters, product marketing authorizations, GxP compliance, Spin off-NewCo, drug licensing and collaboration (license-in/out), as well as regulatory issues involved in venture capital and private equity investments, mergers and acquisitions, and foreign and outbound investments in the life sciences industries. Mr. Gu also provides advocacy advice for draft laws and regulations released by the NMPA and other Chinese governmental authorities. Specifically, Mr. Gu's practice covers a full range of products including drugs (biologics and chemical drugs), medical devices, IVDs, cosmetics, general foods, special foods (health foods, foods for special medical purposes, and infant formulas), animal drugs, animal foods, etc.
Mr. Gu has extensive experience representing various types of companies in the life sciences industry, including major multinational pharmaceutical firms, leading Chinese innovative drug and biotechnology companies, as well as top domestic and international investment institutions. Mr. Gu has co-authored the China chapter of Lexology In-Depth: Healthcare Law (formerly The Healthcare Law Review), sixth to eighth editions (2022-2024), the China section of Chambers Life Sciences Global Practice Guide (2022-2024), and other publications. Acknowledged for his outstanding and professional legal services in life sciences and healthcare, Mr. Gu has received numerous accolades from prestigious institutions such as Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, China Business Law Journal (CBLJ), Lex Falcon Global Awards, Asian Legal Business and Mondaq. He has also been interviewed multiple times by media such as 36Kr, Caixin, Yicai, E Drug Manager, Dutch Financial Daily, Jiemian, the Economic Observer, Blue View, Thomson Reuters and Financial Times (in alphabetical order).
Xun Li
Mr. Li specialises in fintech, financial regulatory compliance, banking and finance, data protection, and environmental, social and governance matters. Mr. Li offers comprehensive legal services to fintech companies and financial institutions involved in asset and wealth management, consumer finance and payment services. He has also participated in numerous investment and M&A projects for fintech companies and financial institutions. In financial regulatory compliance, Mr. Li provides consulting services to various financial institutions, assisting with internal policy formulation as well as regulatory inspection preparation and response, and other compliance-related matters. He has extensive experience in personal information and financial consumer protection. Mr. Li has also represented banks, trusts, funds, wealth management companies, and real estate investment institutions in structured and mezzanine finance as well as syndicated loan projects.
Jiaxin Liu
Mr. Liu specializes in venture capital and private equity financings, public financings, restructurings, and mergers and acquisitions. He has represented many venture capital funds, strategic investors, start-up companies, and entrepreneurs in various industries covering artificial intelligence, the internet, education, telecommunications, wholesale and retail as well as pharmaceuticals, and has assisted in forming deal structures, drafting legal documents, and participating in negotiations. In the area of public financing, Mr. Liu has represented a large number of issuers and underwriters in Chinese company initial public offerings, debt offerings, and alternative public financings on international securities exchanges.
Jin Qian
Mr. Qian is a partner at Han Kun Law Offices' financial and asset management department. His major practice areas include fund formation and asset management. Prior to joining Han Kun, he practiced with another top-tier PRC law firm and a reputable U.S. law firm. Mr. Qian has represented many well-known PRC and international fund managers in the formation, management, operation and liquidation of various types of renminbi and U.S. dollar funds including buyout, venture capital, hedge, real estate and secondary funds, and funds of funds. He has rich experience in advising large domestic and international financial institutions such as investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and exchanges on their investment and other asset management regulatory issues.
Xin Wang
Ms. Wang is a cross-border transactional lawyer who boasts over a decade of experience in advising clients across different industrial sectors on cross-border investments. She has been involved in transactions with a combined value of over US$10 billion, encompassing multiple jurisdictions across six continents. Her expertise extends to designing intricate transaction structures, negotiating complex documentation, and addressing multifaceted legal issues for her clients. With a specialized focus on the energy sector, Ms. Wang represents national oil companies (NOCs), international oil companies (IOCs), and other key players in the energy industry, handling transactions and legal matters throughout the entire energy value chain, from upstream E&Ps to midstream and downstream operators, providing comprehensive and tailored legal support.
Lin Zhou
With over 15 years of experience in fund formation and asset management-related practice areas, Ms. Zhou focuses her practice on the formation and operations of various types of funds, including the structuring and formation of venture capital funds, private equity funds, infrastructure funds, real estate funds, logistics funds, and other investment funds with various organizational forms such as corporate funds, partnership funds, and contractual funds. Ms. Zhou is also experienced in representing LPs of various types (including insurance companies, government funds, and funds of funds) in the course of their fund investments.
Ms. Zhou has represented a number of private equity institutions, including reputable private equity fund managers and sponsors in the market such as CDH, CPE, IDG and CMC, state-owned funds such as China Structural Reform Fund, SDIC National Guidance Fund, and private equity funds sponsored by securities companies such as CICC, CITIC, and Huatai. In insurance-related investment areas, Ms. Zhou has represented insurance asset management companies in the set-up of insurance private equity managers and funds and has also represented insurance funds and issued legal opinions with respect to indirect equity investment. Ms. Zhou has also represented clients in cross-border fund transactions and formation projects, including through QFLP, QDII, foreign venture capital programs, and overseas M&A funds. In addition, Ms. Zhou is also well-versed in private fund investments, corporate financing, general corporate matters, and in the design of incentive programs for fund sponsors and management teams.
Lei Zhu
Mr. Zhu specializes in commercial crisis resolution, debt restructuring, and bankruptcy restructuring and has extensive knowledge and expertise in the legal profession with over 10 years of experience. He has played key roles in restructurings for Chongqing Chengtou Renewable Energy, Xin Tianze Group, Jilin Liyuan Precision Manufacturing (Stock Code: 002501.SZ), and Geo-Jade Petroleum (Stock Code: 600759.SH). Among these, the Xintianze reorganisation case was selected in the top 10 typical cases of protecting the private economy by the Chongqing High Court. The Liyuan reorganisation project was written into the 2020 work report of the Liaoyuan Intermediate People's Court, and selected in the top 10 typical cases of civil and commercial trials in Jilin Province in 2020. The Geo-Jade Petroleum case was selected in the top 10 typical cases handled by courts in Hainan in 2023, and nominated for the "2023 National Bankruptcy Classic Cases".
China Business Law Journal's The A-List 2024-25: Rising Stars spotlights a new generation of trailblazers who are breaking through established career ceilings and the most esteemed lawyers under the age of 40 in the market. From cross-border M&A to data compliance and environmental and social governance (ESG) initiatives, they are building formidable expertise in cutting-edge fields, leveraging digital tools, and reimagining traditional service models. By redefining excellence through innovation and reshaping value standards, they are injecting fresh momentum into the legal industry. The final list is the aggregate result of market nominations, candidates' own submitted supportive information and independent research conducted by the editorial team.
