Victor (Zhihua) Zhang
Managing Partner|Chief Partner |Lead Lawyer for International Practice
Key Strengths
·Seasoned lawyer with nearly 25 years of experience, deeply versed in the Chinese legal system with a global perspective.
·Top-tier criminal defense lawyer (recipient of multiple awards including "China's Top 10 Not Guilty Verdicts"), providing robust support to enterprises and executives facing cross-border criminal risks.
·International practice focused on Southeast Asia (particularly Malaysia), with profound local experience, academic collaboration, and network resources.
·Exceptional comprehensive cross-border service capabilities, covering investment & M&A, compliance, dispute resolution, and IP protection.
·Strong English communication skills (Fluent C1), with experience serving clients from multiple countries.
 
Practice Areas
Cross-border M&A & Investment
Overseas Compliance & Antitrust
International Trade Dispute Resolution
Foreign-related Criminal Defense & Risk Prevention
IP Protection in Global Markets
Maritime and Admiralty Affairs
 
International Experience Highlights (ASEAN/Malaysia Focus)
Academic Research Collaboration: Leading a 5-year (2024-2028) international research grant on "A Study on Money Laundering Activities Between China and Malaysia" with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Malaysia, promoting mutual learning in legal governance.
Legal Service Network:
·Established strategic cooperation with renowned Malaysian law firms including CW Loh & Associates and WCO ADVOCATES AND SOLICITORS to provide seamless cross-border legal services.
·Provided full-process legal support for Sino-foreign investment into ASEAN, including successful projects: assisting a Jiangsu drone company's market entry into Indonesia; guiding a Hebei enterprise through the legal process of setting up a factory in Malaysia.
Client Representation: Successfully handled multiple cross-border cases for Chinese and international clients, including resolving commercial disputes for Malaysian citizens in China and providing legal guidance and repatriation support for Chinese citizens involved in overseas criminal matters.
Culture & Institutional Introduction: Serves as Legal Counsel for China to the Malaysia-China-Indonesia Culture & Friendship Association (MCICF) and is facilitating the establishment of its Jiangsu Chapter (launching 2025), promoting people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation.
Selected Honors & Qualifications
·National Advanced Individual in Legal Aid (Ministry of Justice, 2024)
·Member, Overseas Legal Talent Pool, Jiangsu Lawyers Association
·Mediator, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
·Member, Malaysia-China Legal Cooperation Association
·(Criminal Law) Numerous accolades including "National Outstanding Contribution to Criminal Defense", "Second Class Individual Merit Award", etc.