12 ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS CHINA • 亚洲法律杂志-中国版 OCTOBER 2023 For the third consecutive year, ALB is delving into the legal services market in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. Law firms and exceptional rising lawyers are sharing their insights with ALB, shedding light on how they distinguish themselves, adapt their strategies, and continually progress in this tightly integrated market, known for its significant economic advantages. RANKING BY ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS, TEXT BY VICTOR WU ALB连续三年将目光锁定在长三角地区的法律服务市场。成绩斐然的律所和律师新星与ALB讲述了在这个 经济优势显著、一体化程度颇高的市场上，如何层层突围、确定方向、不断进阶。 排名：《亚洲法律杂志》，作者：吴嘉林 The fourth regional ranking for 2023 by ALB has been released, focusing on the top firms and outstanding young lawyers in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. This ranking covers Shanghai, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, and Anhui Province. It evaluates various aspects of each law firm, including headcount, revenue, development strategies, client relations, and client reviews. Fifteen local firms headquartered in the YRD region and 15 non-local firms with offices in the YRD have made the list. Among the local firms, eight are headquartered in Shanghai, four in Hangzhou, two in Nanjing, and one in Suzhou. All non-local firms are headquartered in Beijing. It’s worth noting that eight local firms have made the list for three consecutive years, while five have been selected twice in three years. Among the non-local firms, 14 have been selected for three years in a row, while one firm has been on the list for two consecutive years. This consistent recognition in the dynamic YRD market highlights the enduring strength and influence of these winning firms. The YRD region is known for its high educational levels and ability to attract talent, making the legal profession even more prestigious. ALB identifies 30 rising lawyers by examining their key achievements, major deals/cases in the past year, and client reviews. Compared to last year, the winning lawyers this time are categorized into those working in local firms and those working in non-local firms. Specifically, 19 lawyers practice in Shanghai, eight work in Hangzhou, two are based in Nanjing, and one is stationed in Ningbo. They are all under 40 years old, with most having over ten years of experience in law practice. They primarily work in areas such as capital markets, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring. Some also specialize in crossborder services, international trade, and other fields. This distribution of practice areas aligns closely with the economic strengths of the YRD region. According to data from various local statistics bureaus, in the first half of this year, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui all recorded GDP growth above six percent, surpassing the national average of 5.5 percent. The combined GDP of these four places accounts for over 24 percent of the national total. “The YRD region is one of the most crucial economic regions in China. The legal services industry here is characterized by active business volume, continuous development, and innovation, aligning with economic and industry development trends,” says Apple Sun, partner of Joint-Win Partners and a Rising Lawyer winner. She emphasizes that the legal services industry ecosystem in the YRD region enjoys multiple layers of advantages. “The YRD region, with its vast economic aggregates and a relatively large population, offers a thriving manufacturing industry, providing a solid foundation and promising prospects for traditional practice areas of lawyers. Moreover, being one of the world’s major port regions, it serves as a significant barometer of China’s global openness. This region experiences a substantial volume of cross-border legal services, surpassing other areas. Lastly, the YRD region is witnessing a window of opportunity YANGTZE RIVER DELTA FIRMS & RISING LAWYERS COVER STORY 长三角地区律所和律师新星
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