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CV

William LIANG

William Liang was admitted as a PRC lawyer by the Ministry of Justice in 1993 and has since accumulated over 30 years of experience in PRC legal market, specializing in commercial and shipping litigation and arbitration as well as bankruptcy. Central to his approach is a deep understanding of clients' strategic objectives. He brings extensive expertise in litigation and arbitration in respect of commercial and shipping industries, as well as practical insight of the legal and operational aspects of doing business, negotiation, and litigation in the PRC. Widely recognized as a seasoned litigator in the PRC, William is respected for his professionalism and commitment to excellence.

William Liang has substantial experience in resolving disputes arising from or involving bill of lading, charter parties, cargo claims, logistics, marine casualties, marine insurance, shipbuilding and repair contracts, ship arrests, personal injury and death claims, maritime fraud, international trade, letter of credit, ship finance, investment, and corporate matters. In recent years, he has been retained by overseas clients to handle some of the most complex and high-profile disputes, many of which are large-scale, multi-party, and multi-jurisdictional, in both arbitration and litigation proceedings before arbitral tribunals and various domestic courts. He is highly skilled in loss investigation, evidence collection, and strategic case planning. A significant portion of William's practice is dedicated to advising and representing large enterprises, including many multinational corporations and major Chinese enterprises.

In addition, William advises overseas clients on foreign direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate in China as well as a broad range of other foreign trade and economic cooperation activities.

Representative Matters

  • Represented Henkel in several litigation cases arising from logistics disputes

  • Served as legal advisor to South Korea's SK Corporation in several trade cases

  • Represented Allianz Versicherungs-AG (an insurance subsidiary of Allianz SE in Germany) in several insurance recovery cases

  • Represented China Shipping Development and Sea Express Inc. (USA) in Hong Kong arbitration proceedings and before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in connection with the recovery of substantial outstanding charter hire

  • Represented Zhongcheng International Transport Co., Ltd. in international commercial and maritime fraud cases

  • Represented Reybanpac, the world's largest banana export company, in international sales, chartering, and bill of lading disputes

  • Represented Germany's Salzgitter AG in letter of credit injunction and counterclaim proceedings

  • Represented China Shipping Group in a dispute with a Greek shipowner concerning payment of repair costs, including the selective worldwide seizure of ships, defending proceedings in Greek courts, and commencing litigation in Dutch courts

  • Represented Nanjing COSCO in litigation and arbitration proceedings involving a commercial dispute across Singapore, the United States, China, and London

  • Represented Gerald Metals Inc. in several trade disputes, joint venture equity disputes, and other disputes with Shenhuo Corporation

  • Represented Zhongda Group Co., Ltd. (600704.SH) in a London arbitration proceeding

  • Represented C&Merchant Marine (000790.KRX) in London arbitration disputes under contracts of affreightment

  • Represented a renowned Nordic shipowner in a shipbuilding contract dispute in China, including proceedings for the recognition and enforcement of a London-seated arbitration award

  • Represented UK Trans World in several warehouse receipt cases in China

  • Represented Sinochem Shipping in a dispute brought by ING Bank N.V. in South Korea concerning delivery of cargo without presentation of the original bill of lading

  • Represented the British Steamship Mutual P&I Club in connection with claims arising from the vessel "Gold Carrier" alliding with the 100,000-ton berth under construction at the Nantong Langshan Port Phase III project and several engineering vessels, involving personal injury and fatality claims as well as fuel spill claims

  • Represented Trans World in a letter of credit fraud case involving an import company affiliated with Zhongshe (Nantong) Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Company

  • Represented Jiangxi Copper Company in an insurance dispute over the sinking of the vessel "Jiangyongguan"

  • Represented Sinochem International in disputes over refined oil sales contracts

  • Represented Kawanishi Warehouse in a retrial proceeding before the Supreme People's Court of China

  • Represented The West of England Ship Owners Mutual Insurance Association in securing the release of a foreign vessel detained by Chinese border control authorities, and acted in the related criminal defense in Jiangsu's first illegal immigration case involving foreign crew members, who were ultimately deported separately

  • Represented Sinochem International in purchasing several chemical product ships

  • Represented fuel suppliers in the Greek "Summersat" debt registration and auction settlement case

  • Represented Yonghui International Petrochemical Company in a fraud dispute over a letter of credit and bill of lading

  • Represented Sinochem Singapore in a case involving a shipowner releasing goods without a bill of lading

  • Represented STX Pan Ocean in multiple lease disputes

  • Represented SK Shipping in handling ship charter disputes

  • Represented North America Steamships Ltd. in a case involving detaining goods in China and claims for substantial freight demurrage

  • Provide legal opinions on logistics and transportation contracts under overseas general contracting projects, including customs, port area, and sea freight charter terms, on behalf of China International Shipping Corporation

  • Represented Delphi, one of the world's largest automotive parts suppliers, in handling several customs administrative penalties

  • Represented a well-known oil transportation enterprise in handling domestic and overseas litigation cases related to letter of guarantee disputes

  • Represented Zhejiang Textile Import and Export Company in a case of fraud against a Maersk bill of lading

  • Represented a bank in negotiations, as well as drafting and modifying contracts, for a real estate project loan

  • Provide legal advice for a certain bank on ship purchase and sale financing

  • Represented a foreign-funded company in applying to the High Court for arbitration before the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, and applying for the auction of a well-known Chinese trademark

Honors and Awards

Advanced Individual Award for attorneys in Pudong New Area Government, Shanghai

Outstanding Individual Award within the legal and judicial sector of Pudong New Area of Shanghai

Top 10 Excellent Young Lawyers in Pudong New Area of Shanghai

Memberships & Affiliations

Arbitrator, Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shanghai International Arbitration Center)

Postgraduate Tutor, Law School, Fudan University

Deputy Director, Finance & Securities Law Committee, Shanghai Bar Association

Member, China Maritime Law Association

Member, Committee on Admiralty and Maritime Law of All China Lawyers Association

Standing Director, China Changjiang Maritime Law Society

Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Panel Arbitrator, Shanghai Arbitration Commission

Member, Legal Counselor Team of Pudong New Area Government of Shanghai

Member, All-China Lawyers Association

Partner William Liang Speaks at Wuhan Maritime Seminar

Publications

“Listed Companies and Their Independent Directors Respond to the ‘High Price’ Securities Class Actions (Part 1)”, Zhong Lun Information, 2021

“Listed Companies and Their Independent Directors Respond to the ‘High Price’ Securities Class Actions (Part 2)”, Zhong Lun Information, 2021

“Goodbye, 24% - Comments on the Latest Judicial Interpretation of Private Lending”, Zhong Lun Information, 2020

“Civil Code Published! A Quick Look at Five Highlights of Contract Part”, Zhong Lun Information, 2020

“Valuation Adjustment Mechanism Agreement During COVID-19 Period”, Zhong Lun Information, 2020

“Mainland and Hong Kong Signed the Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings”, Zhong Lun Information, 2019

“Six Major Considerations in the Post ‘Enforcement Compromise’ Era”, Zhong Lun Information, 2018

  • Bar Admissions/Professional Qualifications

    PRC Bar, 1992
    Qualified to act for independent director of listed company by China Securities Regulatory Commission, 2007

  • Education

    LL.M., Law School of Shanghai Maritime University, 1996
    LL.B., Shanghai University Law School, 1992

  • Professional Experience

    Counsel, Zhong Lun Law Firm, Shanghai, 2008 to present
    Partner, Sloma & Co., 2003-2008
    Lecturer, Law School of Shanghai Maritime University, 1996-1998
    Managing Partner, Haixiang Law Firm, Shanghai, 1995-2003
    Attorney-at-law, Shanghai Lawyers Office for Maritime Affairs, 1993-1995
    Attorney-at-law, Yulan & Partners, 1992-1993

  • Languages

    Chinese
    English