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Jeffrey LIU
Equity Partner / Shanghai
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Tel +86-21-6061-3666
Email jeffreyliu@zhonglun.com
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Practices

Cybersecurity & Data Protection, Investment/M&A & Corporate Governance, Litigation & Arbitration
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Industries

Financial Innovation & Fintech, Intelligence Technology & Application, Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Jeffrey LIU
Mr. Jeffrey Liu, J.D., has extensive practice experience in Cybersecurity & Data Protection, Investment/M&A & Corporate Governance, and Litigation & Arbitration, among others.
His team understands how cybersecurity, data and privacy protection effect modern business and is familiar with various emerging business scenarios. They offer one-stop global legal support from a strategic, operational standpoint. Mr. Liu's clients span across industries including artificial intelligence, hard technology, biopharmaceuticals, consumer and retail, finance, internet, automotive, new energy, e-commerce, IoT, as well as traditional manufacturing.
Mr. Liu also has extensive experience in financial and commercial litigation and arbitration (online and arbitration) and has represented numerous domestic and international clients in such proceedings. He has worked on cases involving financial products (including trust, securities, insurance, and other products), corporate governance, equity investment, international trade, anti-unfair competition, and other commercial disputes. He also advises on administrative and criminal matters and deals with internal investigations for clients. Clients frequently recognize his skills and professionalism in managing complex, high-stakes mandates.
Representative Matters
Cybersecurity, Data Protection, and Privacy
Acted as lead counsel to multiple renowned domestic enterprises in overseas data compliance, with services covering identifying and addressing compliance risks across their overseas subsidiaries and group-wide operations, and facilitating their global expansion into the European Union, the United States, Singapore, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other countries and regions
Acted as lead counsel to multiple renowned enterprises in AI compliance, with services covering compliance work across areas such as AI product lines, Large AI Model research and development, algorithm and data, AI intelligent agents, computing power sales, To-B Large AI Model business, and the integration of external AI tools, as well as the development of AI project risk assessment mechanisms
Acted as lead counsel to a leading multinational pharmaceutical company in a comprehensive data compliance investigation, with services including assessing the compliance of its data acquisition practices from partners, assisting in developing a partner management mechanism, and providing compliance advice on its processing of data involving sensitive personal information
Acted as lead counsel to multiple biotech enterprises in data compliance of clinical trials, with services covering filing the standard contract of personal information cross-border transferring, among other matters
Acted as lead counsel to multiple companies across various industries, including consumer goods, healthcare, big data, and artificial intelligence, concerning their IPO-related data compliance, with services including drafting and reviewing relevant legal documents, screening for data compliance risks, offering compliance rectification plans based on the findings, and providing support for listing review processes
Assisted several large- and medium-size enterprises in handling data breach incidents, including analyzing the nature of the incidents, formulating response plans, and assisting the clients in communicating with relevant authorities
Acted as lead counsel to a well-known hotel chain, a cosmetic company, a game company, and a consumer goods company in handling compliance notifications and removals of their apps, as well as in relevant rectification
Acted as lead counsel to several automotive companies, assisting them in conducting personal information protection impact assessments covering activities such as the handling of sensitive personal information and the entrusted processing of personal information, and advising them on compliance rectification
Acted as lead counsel to several leading consumer durables enterprises in data compliance, with services covering the development of data compliance systems, comprehensive review and consultation on the content and distribution of all customer-facing documents throughout their business processes, personal information protection impact assessments, security assessments for cross-border data transfer, and mobile applications compliance, among others
Acted as lead counsel to a large Chinese internet platform in data compliance, with services covering identifying and addressing problems in its current mechanism for receiving and handling data subject rights requests and privacy policy management, establishing an organization-wide new mechanism for the same, and providing consulting for the establishment of its privacy policy system for the entire group company
Acted as lead counsel to several fast-fashion retail giants in data compliance, with services covering establishment of data compliance systems, comprehensive reviews of personal information protection protocols, and cross-border data transfer compliance
Acted as lead counsel to a cross-border luxury goods e-commerce platform relating to personal information protection, and provided counsel on its cross-border data transfer, establishment of its e-commerce platform, and data compliance issues relating to its M&A project
Acted as lead counsel to several restaurant chains in data compliance, with services including streamlining data compliance systems, building compliance regimes, and advising on cross-border data transfer and personal information protection compliance
Acted as lead counsel to a clearing institution for data compliance issues in the process of applying for the opening of a bank card clearing institution by the joint venture established by the client and a well-known credit card organization, with services including assisting in analyzing data flows, reviewing compliance issues in data usage, sharing, and cross-border transfer, and issuing analysis opinions and risk mitigation solutions
Provided legal consulting on the data localization project to an international logistics giant
Dispute Resolution
Acted as lead counsel to a private equity fund investor in handling fund liquidation and exit disputes, with services including identifying viable liquidation exit paths and engaging in communication and negotiation with fund managers, other investors, and other stakeholders, in an effort to optimize outcomes for the client
Acted as lead counsel to an asset management company in applying for the enforcement of a mortgagor's property, with services including investigating the status of relevant assets, advancing judicial sale procedures, coordinating investor resources, and pushing for the disposal of target assets
Acted as lead counsel to the actual controller of a listing candidate in handling related control rights disputes arising between the client and multiple investors
Acted as lead counsel to the controlling shareholder of a well-known educational technology company in handling disputes over liability for damaging the interests of the company
Acted as lead counsel to a U.S. shareholder of a Cayman company in handling an equity dispute with other shareholders of that investment company
Acted as lead counsel to senior executives of the first batch of NEEQ-listed companies in handling securities misrepresentation liability disputes concerning those NEEQ-listed companies
Acted as lead counsel to a Fortune Global 500 oil and gas company in handling multiple disputes with its logistics suppliers, oil terminal service providers, and ship owners
Acted as lead counsel to a listing candidate and its actual controller in handling equity disputes and related loan disputes, investment disputes, and other related matters
Acted as lead counsel to a trust company in handling the second instance of a corporate bond transaction dispute with a bond issuer and its guarantor, a subsidiary (grandchild company) of a Hong Kong‑listed energy group
Acted as lead counsel to a subsidiary of a Shanghai-based fund company in handling an entrusted loan dispute with a large state‑owned enterprise (a Fortune Global 500 company), involving multiple agreements, including an entrusted loan contract, a guarantee contract, a mortgage contract, and a deficiency guarantee agreement, each providing for different jurisdiction clauses
Acted as lead counsel to a Hong Kong company in handling multiple disputes involving overseas minerals with other overseas entities, with services covering coordinating legal resources in China's mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, and many other jurisdictions, and designing legal offensive and defensive strategies, including but not limited to assisting clients in initiating and pushing forward procedures in the Chinese mainland to have foreign-related arbitration awards withdrawn, raising objection to the application of arbitration awards recognition in Hong Kong SAR, and advancing related litigation outside China in cooperation with lawyers from Australia and other jurisdictions, all in an attempt to maximize the protection of clients' legitimate rights and interests
Acted as lead counsel to a well-known design company in handling disputes over a work-for-hire agreement
Acted as lead counsel to multiple investors of a private equity fund in handling a property damage compensation dispute with the fund manager and the fund distributor
Acted as lead counsel to an asset management company in handling a dispute over a non‑performing asset disposal service contract with a state‑owned real estate enterprise
Acted as lead counsel to a subsidiary of an Italian energy enterprise (a Fortune Global 500 company) in handling a product quality dispute with its domestic distributors
Acted as lead counsel to a leading European automobile company in handling a dispute over the procurement of complete vehicle production lines with a well‑known domestic automobile manufacturer before the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC)
Honors and Awards
Client Choice Top 20, ALB China, 2019
Leading Lawyer in FinTech, The Legal 500, 2020–2026
Data Protection Lawyer of the Year (nominated), The Asian Lawyer, 2020
Leading Lawyer in Finance & Corporate, IFLR1000 China, 2020–2021
Leading Lawyer in Data Protection, The Legal 500, 2021–2022
Notable Lawyer in Banking & Finance, asialaw, 2022–2024
Leading Lawyer in FinTech & Blockchain, Who's Who Legal, 2022
Recommended Lawyer in Data Security & Privacy, Telecoms, Media & Technology, Chambers Greater China Region Guide, 2023–2026
The Growth Drivers, China Business Law Journal, The A-List, 2023, 2025–2026
Highly Recommended Lawyer in Finance & Corporate, IFLR1000 China, 2024–2025
Leading Lawyer in Data Compliance, Lexpress, 2024
FinTech Lawyer of the Year, The Legal 500 China Awards, 2024
Judicial Case Award (Finance & Investment), The 5th Golden line Awards (securities misrepresentation case in NEEQ market‑making trading)
Arbitrator for Efficient Case Hearing, Weihai Arbitration Commission, 2024
Cybersecurity & Data Protection Lawyers Top 15, ALB China, 2025
Outstanding Professional Talent in Capital Markets, P5W Net, 2025
Data Protection Law Expert of the Year in China-2026, Corporate INTL Magazine Global Awards, 2026
Selected as member of the “Eastern Talent Program (Youth Project)”, 2023
Memberships & Affiliations
Specially Lecturer on Cybersecurity, the Third Research Institute of Ministry of Public Security
Council Member, Shanghai Information Network Security Administration Association
Council Member, Shanghai Finance Information Association
Member, Data Security Working Committee of the Internet Society of Shanghai
Member, New Data Center Professional Committee of Shanghai Communication Society
Member of the First Expert Group on Data Compliance and Security Industry Development, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization
Expert on Civil and Administrative Cases, the Supreme People's Procuratorate
Consulting Expert, Artificial Intelligence Industry “Compliance Service Demonstration Site” at the Shanghai Import and Export Fair Trade Workstation
Mediator, Shanghai Mediation Center for Financial Consumption Disputes
Special Mediator, Pudong New Area Non-Litigation Dispute Resolution Center
Member of the First Batch of Mediators, North Bund Alternative Dispute Resolution Center
Member of the First Batch of Mediators, Shanghai Eastern International Commercial Mediation Center
Mediator, Shanghai Pudong New Area Lingjun Commercial Mediation Center
Researcher, Data Law Research Center of Shanghai Jiaotong University
Researcher, the Practical Department of the Judicial Research Center of Fudan University
Special External Tutor, East China University of Political Science and Law
External supervisor, Law School of Xiamen University
External Industry Mentor for J.D. Candidates, Law School of Xiamen University
Arbitrator, Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC)
Arbitrator, Shanghai Arbitration Commission
Arbitrator, Hangzhou Arbitration Commission
Arbitrator, Ningbo Arbitration Commission
Member, Arbitration Think Tank of Shandong Province
Arbitrator, Weihai Arbitration Commission
Arbitrator, Zhanjiang Arbitration Commission
Arbitrator, Zibo Arbitration Commission
Arbitrator, Luoyang Arbitration Commission
Arbitrator, Zaozhuang Arbitration Commission
Arbitrator, Dongying Arbitration Commission
Member, Shanghai Arbitration Association
Publications
“Data Protection: Compliance Guidelines and Rule Explanations (2nd Edition)”, China Legal Publishing House, 2021
“Key Interpretation and Case Analysis of the Personal Information Protection Law of the People's Republic of China”, China Legal Publishing House, 2021
“Expert Interpretation and Explanation of Compliance for Online Lending Information Intermediary Business in Shanghai”, Shanghai University Press, 2018
“The White Paper on Risk Prevention and Compliance Response for AI Enterprises Going Global” (co-editor)
“Compliance Guidelines for International Operations of Artificial Intelligence Enterprises” (co-editor)
“From the Metaverse to Law 3.0: Discussing the Genealogy of Artificial Intelligence Law", Journal of Shanghai University (Social Sciences Edition), July 2023, Vol40, 4
"Key Points of Full-Chain Data Compliance for Generative AI and Risk Prevention", Zhong Lun "Artificial Intelligence 3.0: Law, Game Theory and Strategy in the Age of Intelligent Waves", December 2025
“Deep Analysis on the Key Points of the Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services"
“Artificial Intelligence: Intellectual Property Protection and Data Compliance” (co-editor), Zhong Lun Research Institute, 2021
“Zhong Lun New Energy Legal Anthology: Rules and Innovation in Variables” (co-editor), Zhong Lun Research Institute 2021
“Zhong Lun E-commerce Legal Anthology: Focus and Prospects in the New Industry” (co-editor), Zhong Lun Research Institute, 2021
“Witness and Outlook: 20 Years of Securities Litigation in China” (co-editor), Zhong Lun Research Institute, 2022
“Compliance Guide for Chinese Small and Micro Enterprises: Interpretation of the Application of 'Effectiveness Evaluation of SME Compliance Management System'”, Law Press, 2023
“Understanding and Application of 'Shanghai Data Regulation'”, China Legal Publishing House, 2023
“Analysis of Data Rights Ownership and its System Construction in the Era of Big Data”, Journal ofShanghai University (Social Science Edition), 2019
“Research on Construction of Data Rights and Big Data Transaction Rules” (Doctoral dissertation, ShanghaiJiaotong University)
“The Path Evolution of the Regulation of Small-Loan Companies in Shanghai”, Journal of Fintech LawReview, 2017.
“Clarifying Legal Liability and Bridging Various New Regulations - Interpretation of the Decision onAmending the Cybersecurity Law of the People's Republic of China (Exposure Draft)”, published on WoltersKluwer China Law & Reference website, September 2022
“The Establishment of Judicial Rules for Disputes Involving Face Recognition - Interpretation of the Full Textof the Judicial Interpretation of Face Recognition of the Supreme Court”, published on Wolters Kluwer ChinaLaw & Reference website, July 2021
“The Basic Establishment of Data Security Legislative Framework - Analysis of the Eight Key Points of theData Security Law”, published on Wolters Kluwer China Law & Reference website, June 2021
“The Strongest Regulation for Automotive Data - Analysis of Eleven Major Points of the Certain Provisions onAutomotive Data Security Management (Exposure Draft)”, published on Wolters Kluwer China Law &Reference website, May 2021
“First time | Seven Main Changes in the New Rules on the Protection of Children's Personal Informationand the Interpretation Article by Article”, published on Captain Financial Wechat Account, August 24, 2019.
“In-Depth Analysis of the Main Mode of Bank E-Commerce and Related Legal Issues”, published oncebnet.com, June 27, 2019.
“Interpretation of New Data Security Regulation Article by Article”, published on Captain Financial WechatAccount, May 29, 2019.
“Analysis of Clean-up and Exit Mechanisms for Online Lending Platforms”, Journal of Shanghai BarAssociation, October 2018.
“Concept and Practices: A study on Investor Suitability System”, published on Wolters Kluwer China Law &Reference website, July 19, 2017.
“Regulation and Punishment: A Commentary on China's Regulatory Path of the Domestic FintechIndustry”, December 16, 2016 (awarded the Second Prize in the 2016 Excellent Research Competition heldby Shanghai People's Procuratorate)
Related
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Deals Related
Zhong Lun Advises Zhongji InnoLight on HKEX Main Board Listing
Zhong Lun Law Firm acted as the issuer’s PRC legal counsel for this listing, providing comprehensive, end-to-end legal services to Zhongji InnoLight on this landmark transaction.
2026-07-30 -
Awards Related
Zhong Lun Recognized in 19 Practice Areas with 89 Lawyer Rankings in the Chambers Global Guide 2026
On February 12, 2026, the internationally renowned legal directory Chambers & Partners released the Chambers Global Guide 2026. Zhong Lun Law Firm garners accolades in 19 practice areas, with 15 practice areas placed in Band 1. A total of 76 lawyers received among them 89 individual rankings in the guide.
2026-04-16
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Bar Admissions/Professional Qualifications
PRC Bar, 2006
Qualified as an independent director of listed-companies in China, 2010 -
Education
EMBA, China Europe International Business School
Ph.D. in Civil and Commercial Law, Shanghai Jiaotong University
LL.M. in International and Comparative Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law
LL.M. in Civil and Commercial Law, Xiamen University
LL.B. in Economic Law, Henan University -
Professional Experience
Partner, Zhonglun Law Firm
Partner, Dacheng Law Offices
Attorney, HaoLiWen PRC Attorneys -
Languages
Chinese
English