The Lawyer Asia’s latest editorial reports….
Zhong Lun confirms independent international strategy
Following a long period of consultation and internal discussion, Zhong Lun’s partners have decided on a clear international strategy to remain independent and build up its own international reach through overseas offices and a “best friends” network.
The decision was made at the firm’s latest annual partner meetings in Shenzhen over the past weekend, as the majority of the partnership voted towards the option of remaining independent and developing its own international network of preferred foreign firms, instead of entering into an exclusive relationship with an international firm.
The new strategy coincides with the firm’s localisation in Hong Kong. After five years of association with Hong Kong firm Boughton Peterson Yang Anderson, the two have recently merged with the Hong Kong firm changing its name to Zhong Lun. The integration allows Zhong Lun to provide both PRC and local law advice in Hong Kong.
The firm’s focus on independence was built on a stellar year of growth in 2014, which saw revenue jump by 43 per cent. Look out for The Lawyer’s China Elite 2015 report, which will be published next week.
According to the report, which will rank the elite Chinese firms by revenue for the first time, Zhong Lun is the third largest Chinese firm by revenue after Dacheng and King & Wood Mallesons.
