Zhiheng 30th Anniversary | Time Building Traces · Zhiheng Memorabilia
Chronology of Zhiheng Events
ZHI HENG LAW FIRM
As the spring breeze of reform and opening-up swept across the shores of the South China Sea, in 1995,
quietly took root in Shenzhen, a pioneering and experimental hub, becoming one of the earliest partnership‑style law firms and joining the ranks of China’s trailblazers in the rule of law. For thirty years, we have weathered every storm, evolving from a boutique firm of distinction into a benchmark for comprehensive legal services. For thirty years, our commitment has remained steadfast—starting with our unwavering dedication in Shenzhen and expanding to a nationwide footprint that reaches across the globe.
This “Chronicle of Zhicheng” not only traces the growth of a law firm, but also captures the resolute echoes of several generations of legal professionals as they have kept pace with China’s march toward the rule of law.
Rereading these historical milestones today is both a tribute to the path we have traveled and the prologue to a fresh start. At the age of thirty, when one is said to be “established,” Zhiheng stands at the threshold of a new journey in the rule of law. May we draw strength from the milestones of these years, and with greater professional expertise and unwavering commitment, continue to write a new chapter in our shared journey of growth alongside China’s rule of law.
September 13, 1995
Knowing that it always holds true
was founded in Shenzhen in 1995. Originally known as “Hisense Modern,” it was one of the first partnership‑style law firms to be approved following China’s legal‑service reform. On July 12, 2012, the law firm was officially renamed “Zhiheng,” marking its first transformation from a traditional partnership‑style firm to a corporate‑structured one. Over the course of its development, Zhiheng has progressed through two specialized boutique phases—maritime and shipping law, and intellectual property—and in early 2022 completed a comprehensive strategic repositioning, entering a new stage as an integrated, full‑service platform.
The core essence and philosophy of Zhiheng Culture are encapsulated in the four characters “Zhi, Heng, He, Xian” and the two phrases “unity of knowledge and action, perseverance leads to far-reaching success.”
“Knowledge”
Derived from Chapter 53 of the Tao Te Ching: “Though but a little wise, yet walk in the Great Way.”
adheres to the principle of “unity of knowledge and practice” in its legal practice.Deep thoughtDedicated to one’s profession, striving for excellence. Leverage professional expertise to deliver maximum value to our clients.
“Eternal”
Derived from Chapter 16 of the Tao Te Ching: “Attain the utmost in emptiness, abide in profound stillness… returning to one’s true nature is called constancy.”
upholds the professional ethos of “steadfastness ensures long-term success,” demonstrating diligence, responsibility, and unwavering perseverance. Uphold the unwavering commitment of faith to embody the original aspiration and mission of the legal profession.
“Harmony”
Derived from Chapter 42 of the Tao Te Ching: “All things carry yin and embrace yang; it is through the blending of these forces that harmony is achieved.”
upholds the professional ethos of “harmony and coexistence,” diligently fulfills its duties, and strives to resolve disputes and bring litigation to a close. Leverage the harmony of collaboration to promote social harmony and stability.
“First”
Derived from Chapter 64 of the Tao Te Ching: “Act before things come to be, and govern before chaos arises.”
upholds the professional ethos of “taking the lead and arriving first,” stepping forward with responsibility and courageously pioneering new frontiers. By taking the lead in innovation, we are wholeheartedly building a world-class legal service platform.
Since its transformation, Zhiheng has consistently adhered to the development strategy of “expanding from Shenzhen to the entire nation and from Hong Kong to the global market.” Taking the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area as its foundation, the firm serves the national market and clients worldwide, striving to build a world‑leading, internationally oriented legal services platform.
May 2012
Lawyer Receives Industry Honor
’s attorney has been appointed Director of the Intellectual Property and High-Tech Legal Affairs Committee of the Eighth Shenzhen Lawyers Association.
July 2012
Book Publishing
The practical guide on corporate intellectual property strategies, “Zhí Yíng,” co-edited and co-authored by Zhiheng Attorneys, has been officially published by the Law Press.
May 2013
Book Publishing
The book “Frontiers of Law in Information Networks and High Technology” (Volume VI), co-authored by Zhiheng Attorneys, has been officially published.
2013
Has obtained trademark agency qualifications
2014
Has been granted patent agency qualifications.
In 2013,
was successfully included in the first batch of the registered list and officially obtained trademark agency qualifications, marking a significant step forward in the firm’s intellectual property legal service system. In the following year, leveraging its professional service capabilities and standardized operational management, Zhiheng successfully obtained the patent agency registration certificate issued by the National Intellectual Property Administration, further refining its intellectual property business strategy and providing clients with more comprehensive legal support in the field of intellectual property.
At this point,
became one of the first batch of law firms in China to be qualified for patent and trademark agency services.
September 13, 2014
Lawyer wins award
Li Weixiang, a lawyer at
, has been awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award by the Information Networks and High-Tech Professional Committee of the All China Lawyers Association.
April 2015
Selected as a typical case
The high-profile “If You Are the One” trademark infringement case, represented by Zhiheng, was selected as a national typical intellectual property case by the Supreme People’s Court and other institutions, and was included in the “Top 10 Chinese Intellectual Property Judgment Cases with the Greatest Research Value in 2015.”
2015
Achieved excellent results in an industry competition.
has always placed great importance on cultural and sports development, encouraging its lawyers to actively participate in various competitions and events while honing their professional expertise. In 2015, Zhiheng won the championship in the basketball finals of the 15th Shenzhen Lawyers Association Trade Union Games.
Zhiheng Lawyers have consistently and enthusiastically participated in the Shenzhen Lawyers’ Games and various cultural and sports competitions, winning numerous gold medals and trophies in events such as basketball, Chinese chess, table tennis, marathons, tug-of-war, and swimming. Over the years, they have collectively earned dozens of gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as a variety of other awards, achieving outstanding results. On the field, Zhiheng’s lawyers demonstrated a spirited and determined competitive edge, working together in unity. They not only showcased an optimistic and energetic professional demeanor but also leveraged cultural and sports activities as a platform to strengthen communication and collaboration within the industry, thereby reinforcing Zhiheng’s image as a brand committed to diversified growth.
April 25, 2019
Selected as a typical case
The case in which
provided full legal representation for Carmen Company, which was suspected of selling goods bearing counterfeit registered trademarks and subsequently had the investigation withdrawn under prosecutorial supervision, was successfully selected as a “Typical Case of Intellectual Property Protection by Procuratorial Organs in 2018” by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate. It also ranked first among the “Top Ten Typical Cases of Intellectual Property Protection by Guangdong Procuratorial Organs for the Year,” thereby highlighting the firm’s professional service capabilities.
In February 2021, this case was included in the Supreme People’s Procuratorate’s twenty-sixth batch of guiding cases (Guiding Case No. 99).
October 2019
Law firm selected
The
was selected for the Top 10 Chinese Intellectual Property Litigation Firms/Teams list for 2018–2019, jointly released by IPHOUSE, Zhichanli, and IPRdaily—several leading industry media outlets.
November 26, 2021
Construction at the new site commences; strategic transformation underway.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the office renovation of
was solemnly held on the 22nd floor of the Guangdian Financial Center. While upgrading its office facilities, the firm proactively brought in a team of professional managers to spearhead a comprehensive operational overhaul, successfully achieving a strategic transformation from a traditional boutique law firm to a full-service general practice, thereby elevating both its service capabilities and its business footprint to a new level.
April 12, 2022
The first batch of branch offices has been established.
Zhiheng’s first batch of branch offices—the Guangzhou and Longgang branches—were established, marking the firm’s initial step toward scaling up. Today, Zhiheng has set up 29 offices in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Qianhai, Longgang, Jinan, Dongguan, Foshan, Haikou, Kunming, Xi’an, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dapeng, Zhongshan, Urumqi, Guiyang, Dalian, Tianjin, Ningbo, Longhua, Nanjing, Kashgar, Hangzhou, and Zhengzhou.
May 23, 2022
Zhiheng Party Branch Established
The inaugural meeting of the CPC Branch Committee of Guangdong
was solemnly held in the Party Building Room of Zhiheng’s headquarters. The establishment of the Party branch marks a new stage in the standardized and institutionalized development of Zhiheng’s Party building work, thereby consolidating the political foundation for the firm to uphold Party leadership, fulfill its mission of promoting the rule of law, and achieve high-quality development.
October 20, 2022
The first legal affairs center has been established.
The inaugural meeting of the Intellectual Property Center of
was solemnly held in the main conference room of the firm’s headquarters. As the first specialized legal service center established by Zhiheng, its launch marks the beginning of a new chapter in Zhiheng’s journey toward organizational specialization and refined development across its practice areas.
After years of dedicated development and strategic planning, the firm has established a specialized service system encompassing more than ten legal practice centers and departments. Each branch office has likewise completed its specialized organizational setup, creating an integrated, professional service model. At the national level, Zhiheng has successively established specialized bodies, including the National Intellectual Property Committee, the National Criminal Law Committee, the National Compulsory Enforcement Committee, and the National Environmental Law Services Research Center. These initiatives aim to integrate high-quality professional resources nationwide, break down regional barriers to facilitate the exchange of experience and collaborative practice, further enhance the firm’s capacity to handle complex and challenging legal matters, and provide clients with more targeted, systematic, one-stop legal service solutions.
January 13, 2023
Law firm joins
Attorney Zhang Nannan has led her criminal law team in officially joining
, injecting strong momentum into the firm’s comprehensive legal service capabilities and further solidifying its professional foundation in the field of criminal practice.
March 2, 2023
Zhiheng and Hanyu have merged.
and Hanyu Law Firm held a grand merger signing ceremony. This merger is a significant step taken by both parties based on a shared strategic vision. By integrating resources and leveraging each other’s strengths, it has effectively brought together the core competencies of two professional teams, further strengthening Zhiheng’s talent pool and expanding its business scale, thereby injecting powerful momentum into the firm’s leap‑frog development.
March 18, 2023
Zhiheng Hong Kong Registration
Zhiheng has successfully registered in Hong Kong, a significant milestone that marks the official launch of Zhiheng’s international expansion and represents the crucial first step in establishing a global legal services network. As a pivotal hub for international finance and legal services, Hong Kong has provided Zhicheng with a strong foothold. This not only establishes an important bridge for addressing the cross-border legal needs of clients both within and outside China, but also lays a solid foundation for the firm’s future global expansion.
April 20, 2023
The inaugural Board of Directors was established.
The first 2023 Equity Senior Partners’ Meeting and the inaugural meeting of the new Management Committee of
were successfully held in the main conference room of Zhiheng’s headquarters. This conference not only forged a shared vision for development among the core management team but also established an efficient and pragmatic governance structure by forming a new Management Committee. It has defined the firm’s strategic direction for the next phase and provided a solid organizational foundation for achieving standardized, refined management and long-term strategic objectives.
July 8, 2023
The first youth training camp was held.
The first session of the Zhiheng National Young Lawyers Training Camp, themed “Youth on the Rise—Dreams Shining Bright,” has successfully concluded. Young lawyers are the core driving force and the future of a law firm’s development; the organization of this training camp is a vivid demonstration of Zhiheng’s strong commitment to nurturing and supporting the growth of young attorneys. Through systematic training and knowledge-sharing initiatives, we have not only created a platform for young lawyers to enhance their professional expertise, but also helped them solidify their practice foundations and clarify their career paths, thereby injecting a continuous stream of youthful energy into the firm’s talent pipeline and long-term development.
August 8, 2023
Zhiheng Legal Insights is now available.
The “Zhiheng Says” WeChat official account has officially launched. The establishment of the “Zhiheng Says” account represents another innovative step taken by
to promote its brand culture and achieve brand upgrading. As a platform dedicated to publishing professional articles by lawyers, the “Zhiheng Says” WeChat official account will fully showcase Zhiheng Lawyers’ practice expertise and professional research achievements. It will also closely monitor current legal hot topics, disseminate the latest legal information, promote public legal awareness, and help distinguish right from wrong.
August 21, 2023
Scale has attracted industry attention.
has achieved outstanding results in industry recognition and regional development assessments: it has been successfully listed on the “Top 15 Rising Law Firms in China” ranking by the internationally renowned legal media outlet Asian Legal Business (ALB), and has also been awarded honorary titles such as “Futian District’s 2023 Fastest-Growing Law Firm.”
The receipt of multiple prestigious awards not only serves as high recognition of Zhiheng’s professional service capabilities and its steady growth trajectory, but also underscores the firm’s comprehensive competitiveness within the industry and its benchmark-setting influence in the region.
November 14, 2023
Ranked in the Top 100 in scale
In 2023,
achieved a significant breakthrough in its pursuit of scaled growth, making its debut on the “Top 100 Largest Law Firms in China” ranking and officially joining the ranks of nationally recognized large-scale law firms with a 96th-place finish.Leveraging the refined operations of its professional management team following the 2022 strategic transformation, coupled with the continuous aggregation of high-quality legal talent nationwide, Zhiheng has achieved a simultaneous leap in both firm size and professional development. By 2025, it has firmly established itself among the top 30 largest law firms in China, leading the industry in both growth rate and attorney headcount increase.
From its first entry into the rankings to its steady position among the nation’s top tier, this leapfrog development not only validates the precise implementation of its scaling strategy but also underscores the firm’s strong brand appeal and comprehensive competitiveness.
April 10, 2024
The number of lawyers has exceeded 500.
Zhiheng has successfully surpassed 500 practicing attorneys nationwide. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the firm’s expansion, laying a solid talent foundation and signifying a qualitative enhancement in the strength of its professional service team, while also providing crucial support for the further development of its business portfolio.
April 28, 2024
Zhiheng and Deng Qiming in joint venture
With the approval of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Justice, Zhiheng Deng Qiming (Qianhai) Associated Law Firm has been officially established. As a key platform for Zhiheng to deepen legal cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, the establishment of this joint venture not only builds on Zhiheng’s established strengths in cross-border legal services, but also—by leveraging a dual‑jurisdiction team‑collaboration model spanning Mainland China and Hong Kong—provides professional support for overcoming cross‑border legal barriers within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the firm’s Guangdong–Hong Kong joint‑venture development.
May 31, 2024
The Minsheng Lawyers’ Team Has Settled in the Community
, in collaboration with Lianhua Subdistrict, solemnly held the unveiling and signing ceremony for the “People’s Livelihood Lawyers’ Mediation Studio” brand and the “Party Building Co-construction” initiative at the Party-Mass Service Center of Lianhua North Community, marking the establishment of Shenzhen Futian’s first branded mediation studio under the “People’s Livelihood Lawyers’ Group.”
July 2, 2024
The first Sino-foreign joint venture office in the Greater Bay Area
With the approval of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Justice, Zhiheng and the Shulabo Law Firm (Qianhai) Joint Office have been officially established in Qianhai. This marks the first Sino‑foreign law firm joint office in Guangdong Province, making Shenzhen the second region nationwide to host such a joint‑operation entity. As a key initiative in response to the nation’s strategy of opening up, this joint‑venture office leverages Zhiheng’s local service strengths and Slaybaugh’s expertise in U.S. investment and M&A, data security, and related fields to establish a “China–U.S.” dual‑jurisdiction service platform. It provides end-to‑end solutions in areas such as cross‑border intellectual property protection and cross‑border e‑commerce compliance, thereby strengthening legal safeguards for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas and for international clients entering China.
July 26, 2024
The First Supervisory Board Established
The inaugural election meeting of the Supervisory Board of
was solemnly held in the Grand Conference Room of Zhiheng’s headquarters. Through a fair, impartial, and transparent vote, the conference elected the director, deputy director, and members of the first Supervisory Board, marking a crucial enhancement to the firm’s governance structure.
August 31, 2024
Zhiheng International Center Established
The establishment of Zhiheng International Center marks the launch of a new chapter in
’s internationalization strategy.
October 26, 2024
Debuts at the First France Expo
In October 2024,
made its debut at the inaugural Shenzhen Legal Services Expo, bringing with it Guangdong Province’s first Sino-foreign law firm joint operation office.(Zhiheng is affiliated with the U.S. law firm Seyfarth Shaw)A standout presence at the exhibition, spotlighting international services.
November 8, 2024
Fulfilling Social Responsibility
The “New Rain Project” series of legal education activities for youth in Futian District held the appointment ceremony for off-campus legal advisors under the “One Class, One Advisor” program at Shixia School in Futian District, Shenzhen.
was invited to participate in the ceremony, contributing its professional expertise to support legal education for young people. Except “One Student, One Class” Off-Campus Legal Education Mentor Program In addition to ,Lotus North Community Brand Lawyer Mediation Studio, Nanshan Qianhai Huating Marriage and Family Mediation Center and other public welfare projects are also steadily progressing.
These initiatives integrate professional legal services into everyday life, putting the mission of public legal education into practice and demonstrating Zhiheng’s sense of social responsibility and commitment as a legal firm.
November 10, 2024
Zhiheng and Themis have merged.
The signing ceremony for the merger between
and Themis Law Firm was held with great solemnity in the main conference room of the head office. This merger represents a strategic decision by both parties, driven by complementary expertise and synergistic alignment. By consolidating high-quality legal resources, it further strengthens Zhiheng’s service capabilities in its core practice areas and injects new momentum into its scalable growth.
December 1, 2024
Sponsored Lawyer Sports Meet
is the exclusive sponsor of the 22nd Shenzhen Lawyers’ “Zhiheng Cup” Sports Meet. During the competition, Zhiheng’s lawyers actively participated and achieved multiple outstanding results, demonstrating a spirit of tenacious effort and collaborative teamwork on the field. This exclusive sponsorship not only garnered widespread attention for Zhiheng in the legal profession’s sports and cultural arena but also, through these activities, strengthened communication and collaboration within the industry, thereby highlighting Zhiheng’s image as a brand committed to diversified growth.
January 2025
Book Publishing
The Corporate Law Practice Center of
has officially published “Corporate Law for Everyone: 100 Common Questions on Corporate Law.”
This book closely follows the key revisions of the new Company Law, presenting 100 questions and answers across 10 chapters that cover the entire legal spectrum—ranging from company formation and governance to investment, financing, dissolution, and liquidation. By combining these with real-life case studies and offering accessible explanations, it provides practical, compliance-oriented guidance for entrepreneurs, investors, corporate managers, and legal professionals.
February 7, 2025
Expansion of International Presence
Zhiheng has successively established overseas offices in Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Africa, and other locations, further enhancing the responsiveness and professional depth of its international legal services, and building a more robust bridge of cross-border legal protection for both Chinese and foreign enterprises.
February 14, 2025
Major Victory in International Litigation
Zhiheng (Qianhai) Law Firm recently achieved a significant victory in the U.S. SAD (Schedule A Defendants Scheme) litigation case. Not only did it successfully safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of several Chinese defendants, but it also established a compelling legal precedent for future similar cases, marking a milestone in the field of cross-border e‑commerce class-action lawsuits and further enhancing Shenzhen and Qianhai’s level of foreign-related legal services and their international influence.
April 3, 2025
The number of lawyers has surpassed 1,000.
Zhiheng’s nationwide headcount of practicing lawyers has officially surpassed 1,000. This milestone not only represents a significant achievement in the implementation of Zhiheng’s scaling‑up strategy, but also marks the entry of the firm’s talent development program into a new phase. A professional legal team of over a thousand lawyers provides solid human resource support for Zhiheng to deepen its core practice areas, expand its nationwide service network, and enhance its cross-border legal service capabilities, further strengthening the firm’s scalable competitive advantage within the industry.
August 2, 2025
The Zhicheng Party General Branch Has Been Established
The General Branch Committee of the Communist Party of China at Guangdong
has been officially established. This marks an important milestone in Zhiheng’s efforts to strengthen Party leadership and promote the firm’s high-quality development, signaling that the firm’s Party building work has entered a new phase of systematic and standardized management.
September 5, 2025
Zhiheng merges with the cloud
and Hunan Yunduan Law Firm solemnly held a merger signing ceremony in the main conference room of Zhiheng’s headquarters. This cross-provincial merger represents a significant step in Zhiheng’s efforts to deepen its nationwide service network. By integrating the respective strengths of both firms in their areas of practice, the merger not only strengthens Zhiheng’s professional team in the Central China region but also fosters the efficient synergy of legal expertise and client resources, injecting new momentum into the firm’s scalable growth.
October 15, 2025
Expansion Project Groundbreaking Ceremony
The groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Zhiheng Office Space was held with great solemnity on the 21st floor of the Shenzhen Radio & TV Financial Center. The expansion and upgrade of our office space represent an important strategic move by Zhiheng to support its scaled growth and optimize its service environment. This initiative will provide a more spacious and professional working platform for our team of over a thousand lawyers and accommodate our growing business needs, thereby further enhancing client service experiences and team collaboration efficiency, and laying a solid hardware foundation for the firm’s high-quality development.
November 6, 2025
New Book Launch Event
The launch event for the new book “A Comprehensive Guide to Criminal Procedure Practice” was held with great ceremony. Members of the editorial committee pooled their professional expertise and meticulously refined the manuscript, ultimately producing this practical and highly readable reference work on criminal procedure, which provides practitioners in the field of criminal defense with a professional and systematic guide to real-world practice.
December 19, 2025
Zhiheng Vanguard is now online.
To further consolidate the achievements of Party building and showcase the spirit, sense of responsibility, and proactive actions of Zhiheng’s Party members, the Zhiheng Party General Branch has decided to launch the “Zhiheng Vanguard” WeChat official account. Through Party building, we will uphold our original aspiration in the rule of law and use the rule of law to safeguard China’s new era and its new journey!
December 27, 2025
Renewal of the Management Committee and the Supervisory Board
The Second Inaugural Congress of the Management Committee and the Supervisory Board of
was solemnly held in the Grand Conference Room of Zhiheng’s Head Office. The conference successfully completed all agenda items and elected the new leadership teams of the Management Committee and the Supervisory Board, injecting fresh momentum into the firm’s high-quality development.
December 28, 2025
The scale has climbed into the Top 30.
The New Rule Institute has released the “Ranking of China’s 1
00Largest Law Firms (December 2025)”.
has climbed from 48th place in 2024 to 26th, advancing 22 spots in one year and entering the national top 30 for the first time, thereby demonstrating its strong growth momentum while upholding its core philosophy of “unity of knowledge and action, steady progress toward lasting success.”
This leap in ranking is underpinned by Zhiheng’s rapid, transformative growth: as of December 2025, the firm boasts 1,551 practicing attorneys, with an annual growth rate of 102.75%—more than six times the average growth rate of the Top 100 law firms—solidifying its position among the industry’s fastest-growing firms. The number of branch offices has expanded from 17 to 28, with 11 new openings in the past year, placing the firm among the leaders in branch expansion. This strategic rollout—anchored in the Greater Bay Area, deepening its presence nationwide, and extending globally—demonstrates Zhiheng’s strong appeal to top talent and its vast potential driven by a clear growth trajectory.
As the final page of the chronicle turns, thirty years of history have been etched in time, yet Zhiheng’s journey toward the rule of law has never ceased. These words, imbued with the sweat of those who came before, are both a responsibility passed down to future generations and a guiding light that illuminates the path ahead.
Due to space constraints, countless shining moments could not be fully captured herein; the white spaces between the lines are filled with passions and responsibilities that remain untold.
Every moment captured in our records embodies the reverence for legal principles and the unwavering sincerity toward clients held by generations of legal professionals. This deeply ingrained professionalism and steadfast commitment have long been a hallmark, passed down through the generations at Zhiheng. Each entry in the chronicle of milestones clarifies the path forward for the new generation of Zhiheng professionals, taking the past as a guide and forging ahead without pause on the new journey of advancing the rule of law.
Zhiheng's 30th Anniversary
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Zhiheng’s 30th Anniversary | A Beacon of Honor Illuminating the Path of the Rule of Law
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Zhi Heng · Introduction