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Duchao ZHANG
Equity Partner / Beijing
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Tel +86-10-5796-5268
Email zhangduchao@zhonglun.com
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Practices
Bankruptcy-Insolvency & Reorganization, Litigation & Arbitration, White Collar Crime & Criminal Compliance
Duchao ZHANG
Mr. Zhang specializes in dispute resolution and debt restructuring, especially complex transactions and disputes involving commercial litigation, reorganization, pre-reorganization, out-of-court restructuring, corporate control as well as special investment opportunities. He is experienced in developing diversified and comprehensive plans that integrate debt restructuring, litigation and non-litigation solutions catering to commercial needs of his clients.
As a bankruptcy case administrator or litigation agent, Mr. Duchao Zhang has been directly overseen or participated in numerous well-known large-scale projects in China. Additionally, he has served as a legal counsel to various domestic banks such as Agricultural Bank of China, and foreign banks including BNP Paribas, UniCredit Bank Ag, and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, as well as Asset Management Companies (AMCs) such as China Great Wall, China Huarong(now CITIC Financial), and China Cinda; trust companies such as Bohai Trust, Guolian Trust, and Jilin Trust; and also financial leasing companies such as Bohai Leasing; internet financial companies such as CreditEase and Jinxin Network; large state-owned enterprises such as China Energy Investment Group, China National Petroleum Corporation, FAW Group, China National Machinery Industry Corporation, CRRC, and Sinotrans;local state-owned enterprises such as Shanxi Coal International Energy, Shandong Energy, and Jinchuang Investment; private enterprises such as HNA Group;emerging internet enterprises including Meituan,,Didi, and Tidy Washing Technology, and Zhigui Technology, traditional companies like Yili Group and Tong ren tang Group, as well as legal counsel to foreign listed companies and entrepreneurs from the United States, Singapore, and other countries, involved in numerous litigation and arbitration, debt restructuring, or non-performing asset disposal projects, providing comprehensive legal services.
Besides, Mr. Zhang also serves as a strategic partner, providing legal support to state-owned capital such as China Great Wall Fund and Galaxy Investment, as well as professional investors like Xingfu Anji (Under China Fortune Land Development) and Bohai Trust, in special situation and debt restructuring relief projects/fields. Simultaneously, Mr. Zhang offers one-stop services to distressed enterprises and shareholders, ranging from scheme design to fund introduction and asset promotion.
Representative Matters
(Pre-) reorganization/debt restructuring projects involving domestic listed companies:
Appointed as the bankruptcy reorganization administrator for Sichuan Golden Summit (Group) Co., Ltd. (600678.SH)
Appointed as the bankruptcy reorganization administrator for Yanbian Shixian Bailu Papermaking Co., Ltd. (600462.SH)
Appointed as the special legal counsel for the investor of Peking University Founder Group, participating in overall risk management of the corporate and shareholder for Peking University Founder Group and other listed companies.
Appointed as the legal counsel for a controlling shareholder of an A-share company, participating in the bankruptcy reorganization and shareholder debt restructuring work of the listed company.
Appointed as the legal counsel for the controlling shareholder of Poten Environment Group Co.,Ltd. (603603.SH) in the bankruptcy reorganization project.
Appointed as the legal counsel for the investor in the restructuring of Shandong Oriental Ocean Sci-Tech Co., Ltd. (002086.SZ) and involved in the bankruptcy reorganization case of the listed company.
Appointed as the legal advisor bankruptcy reorganization project for the controlling shareholders of three listed companies in the manufacturing, non-ferrous metals, and financial industries.
Advised on the acquisition of equity shares in a new holding platform subsequent to the core company restructuring of Kangdexin (002450.SZ)
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for a cultural industry A-share listed company and provided legal advice and support on investor introductions and related work.
Appointed as the legal advisor for cooperation partners and financing parties in the bankruptcy reorganization and related company debt restructuring of Pangda Automobile Trade Co., Ltd. (601258.SH)
Appointed as the legal counsel for a state-owned enterprise in the acquisition of a traditional Chinese medicine A-share listed company through debt restructuring.
Appointed as the legal counsel for an asset management company in restructuring project, providing legal services for the state-owned equity acquisition project of Anyang Iron and Steel Co., Ltd (600569.SH).
Appointed as the legal counsel for a state-owned enterprise in the urgent resolution of bond default risks of a large enterprise group and related listed company debt restructuring and credit enhancement projects.
Others (omitted).
Bankruptcy Cases Involving Listed Companies in Hong Kong and the United States:
Acting as the administrator for the bankruptcy reorganization project of Shandong Qunxing Paper Co., Ltd. (03868.HK) and its affiliated companies.
Serving as the administrator for the bankruptcy reorganization project of Wuxi Suntech Power Co., Ltd.(NYSE: STP).
Acting as the Vice Chairman of the Financial Debt Committee and special legal advisor for 19 enterprises, including Fengxiang Co., Ltd (09977.HK), in bankruptcy reorganization and related litigation projects involving financial institutions.
Serving as the legal counsel for the restructuring of the o actual controller of a Hong Kong listed company (Financial Holdings Group, Environmental Enterprise).
Providing legal services for the debt restructuring project of a Hong Kong-listed company in the energy industry.
Acting as the legal counsel for the overall risk mitigation and compliance project of a consumer service listed company in Hong Kong and its domestic A-share listed companies.
Representing a leading technology company in debt restructuring projects with a large international technology group, designing restructuring plans for clients.
Other (omitted).
Projects related to large financial institutions, state-owned enterprises liquidation, and project of policy research:
Served as the bankruptcy administrator for the bankruptcy liquidation case of Xin Hua Securities Co., Ltd.;
Acted as legal counsel for the bankruptcy liquidation projects of subsidiaries under MCC.
Appointed as special legal counsel for self-liquidation and bankruptcy liquidation projects of enterprises under State Energy Group.
Served as legal counsel and lead author on bankruptcy risk isolation issues in AMC investment and acquisition projects for a major asset management company.
Others (omitted).
Other insolvency restructuring projects of large domestic and foreign enterprises:
Represented an internationally recognized chip company in its investment in the debt restructuring of a major domestic technology enterprise and the litigation arising therefrom
Acted as restructuring consultant for a state-owned enterprise as a shareholder and investor, providing legal services for debt restructuring and derivative litigation for BYTON.
Provided legal services for an asset management company as a capital provider in participating in an equity acquisition project of a distressed listed steel company.
Served as bankruptcy restructuring council for a foreign investment institution participating in the bankruptcy liquidation project of a new energy enterprise in Chongqing.
Served as legal counsel for a real estate company and its actual controller, assisting and guiding the merger and reorganization case of 19 companies including real estate group.
Represented investors in debt restructuring projects of a tourism development company in Shandong.
Represented investors in debt restructuring and derivative litigation of a mining company.
Represented creditors in the bankruptcy liquidation project of Jiugang Group Yicheng Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.
Represented foreign creditors in the bankruptcy liquidation project of China International Packaging Corporation
Represented creditors in the bankruptcy liquidation project of Wuxi Hu'an Cable.
Provided legal services for debt restructuring projects of a steel group corporation, one of a central state-owned enterprise.
Provided legal services for bankruptcy reorganization projects of Haixin Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd
Provided legal services for bankruptcy reorganization projects of Haiwei Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd.
Provided legal services for bankruptcy reorganization projects of Shanxi Liansheng Energy Co., Ltd.
Provided legal services for debt restructuring projects of Shandong Changxing Wind Power Group Co., Ltd
Provided legal services for bankruptcy reorganization of Tongliao Changxing Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Provided legal services for the restructuring project of Zouping Xinxing New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Provided legal services for the restructuring project of Jiangsu Luling Industry Chemical Group Co., Ltd.
Other bankruptcy reorganization and debt restructuring projects of large energy groups.
Others (omitted)
Represented technology companies, real estate, and construction enterprises in bankruptcy mergers and acquisitions and special situation projects:
Served as legal counsel for an internet company's insolvency restructuring acquisition of controlling stake in a real estate technology company.
Acted as legal counsel for a technology insolvency restructuring project under the laws of PRC.
Appointed as legal counsel for Bohai Leasing Co., Ltd. to participate in the bankruptcy restructuring and bond default project of Wuyang Construction Group Co., Ltd.
Provided legal services for a technology company's debt restructuring acquisition of a detergent enterprise.
Represented Jilin Provincial Expressway Co., Ltd. in formulating bankruptcy reorganization plans and acquiring control of target companies.
Represented Sinotrans Limited in bankruptcy liquidation and related litigation cases involving real estate;
Legal counsel for shareholders and largest creditors of Runhe Real Estate in bankruptcy reorganization projects;
Others (omitted)
Court appointment as the bankruptcy administrator in bankruptcy liquidation cases:
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Zhongyang Credit Guarantee Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Marui Kangnuo Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Haoyang Oriental Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Jiuding Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Chaoan Weiye Municipal Engineering Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Zhonglian Chemeng Network Technology Service Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Kaku Century Animation Culture Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Bjing Zhenguo Drinks Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Dekerui Ad Media Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Pangu International Travel Agency Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Light Food Drinking (Beijing) Catering Management Co., Ltd.
Appointed as the bankruptcy administrator for Beijing Shengda Baoye Materials Co., Ltd.
Litigation and arbitration:
Represented a hospital in Hebei in a retrial against a construction company before the Supreme People’s Court.
Represented a real estate company in an appeal regarding its dispute over property rights protection with another enterprise before the Supreme People’s Court
Represented the headquarters of a state-owned bank in managing administrative litigation cases, including lawsuits against entities such as the China Banking Regulatory Commission
Represented an energy company in a series of cases related to disputes arising from purchase and sale contracts with a partner at the Supreme People’s Court
Represented a prominent financial institution in a series of cases appealing to the Supreme People’s Procuratorate concerning debt disputes
Represented a publicly listed energy enterprise in a series of litigation cases before a provincial-level high court
Provided comprehensive legal services to a state-owned enterprise for the resolution and litigation of disputes arising from policy-based entrusted loans and other causes totaling nearly CNY 20 billion across over 20 provinces, municipalities, and directly-administered cities
Represented a state-owned enterprise in arbitration proceedings related to equity acquisitions and criminal reconciliation disputes with a business partner
Represented a state-owned policy bank in commercial lawsuits it brought against a substantially bankrupt company and its actual controller for bankruptcy creditor disputes
Represented a petroleum technology company in disputes over its drilling equipment purchase contract with an equipment manufacturing enterprise
Represented a South Korean enterprise in a technology contract dispute with a Chinese technology company
Represented a Henan-based real estate company in real estate development disputes
Provided legal services to a state-owned enterprise for commercial crime investigations and compliance projects concerning the executives of the client
Represented a trust company as a creditor in a restructuring case involving a Shanxi energy group
Represented a central state-owned enterprise in a series of real estate development disputes with a real estate company
Represented a prominent internet company in a dispute over a technology product commissioning contract with a listed corporation
Represented the Zhejiang branch of a state-owned bank in a real estate development dispute with a real estate company
Represented a central state-owned construction group in a tender dispute related to a real estate project with a company based in Shenzhen
Represented a state-owned enterprise in disputes over real estate development cooperation with a provincial real estate company
Represented a major Hebei-based real estate company in real estate development disputes with another real estate entity
Represented a subsidiary of a central enterprise in a series of disputes over targeted real estate development with a real estate company
Represented an Inner Mongolian energy company in a loan contract dispute with an exploration company
Represented an investment management company in a lease contract lawsuit that the client brought against a state-owned entity
Represented a fund company in equity disputes and other cases involving both civil and criminal proceedings
Represented a real estate enterprise in a series of cases involving both civil and criminal proceedings
Honors and Awards
Top 10 typical bankruptcy reorganization and liquidation cases issued by the Supreme People's Court of China
Top 10 typical commercial cases issued by the Supreme People’s Court of China
Distinguished Lecturer, New York Institute of Finance
INSOL International Fellow. (International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals)
Top 15 in Bankruptcy Reorganization, LegalOne Clients’ Trusted Lawyers (Blue Ribbon)
Memberships & Affiliations
Member, INSOL International
Member, Bankruptcy and Liquidation Committee, Beijing Lawyers Association
New York Institute of Finance
Publications
Debt Restructuring,CITIC press,December 2020
Bankruptcy and Litigation Practice Handout,Law Press,February 2023
Empirical Study on Solutions to Funds Occupation and Illegal Guarantees in Listed Companies, Law Press,May 2024
Mineral Resources and Mineral Rights Disputes: Case Study on The Practice Of Mineral Resource and Mineral Right Disputes,Law Press,August 2020
White paper on industrial data element registration(2023) (Member of Editorial Board),China Academy Of Industrial Internet, November 2023
Effectiveness evaluation of compliance management system for small and medium-sized enterprises (Member of Editorial Board),China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, May 2022.
Compliance Guidelines for Generative Artificial Intelligence Data Applications (Drafter), China Electronic Chamber of Commerce
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Bar Admissions/Professional Qualifications
PRC Bar
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Education
LL.M., LL.B., Jilin University School of law
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Professional Experience
Partner, Non-equity partner, Zhong Lun Law Firm, 2021 to present
Associate, King & Wood Mallesons, 2011-2021 -
Languages
Chinese
English