Duan & Duan Law Firm: A “Red” Legal Powerhouse in China’s Cross-Border Legal Sphere

Duan & Duan Law Firm (段和段律师事务所), headquartered in Shanghai with offices across China, has established itself as one of the most politically and commercially integrated law firms in the country. While English-language materials about the firm often highlight its expertise in international arbitration, cross-border business law, and corporate services, a closer examination of its activities reveals a deeper alignment with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and national strategic priorities.

While the firm presents itself internationally as a provider of cross-border dispute resolution, international arbitration, investment law, and corporate services, its domestic activities suggest a dual role:

1. Political Compliance and Loyalty – Party-building, national security initiatives, and engagement with strategic sectors signal a strong alignment with CCP priorities.

2. Strategic Business Positioning – The firm’s party-led activities and academic collaborations position it as a key legal intermediary for enterprises operating in sensitive sectors like aerospace, defense, and technology, helping clients navigate international sanctions, export controls, and regulatory challenges.

3. Branding and Professional Legitimacy – Publicized awards, nationwide conferences, and formal agreements with policy research institutions allow the firm to present itself as both professionally competent and politically credible.

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Reported Representative Cases

1. Sanctions and Compliance Work

   • Provided counter-sanctions legal advice and removal from the SND list for a company in Xinjiang.

   • Provided counter-sanctions legal advice and removal from the U.S. Entity List for a central state-owned enterprise.

   • Provided sanctions compliance legal advice to a foreign-invested company operating in China.

   • Assisted a well-known Chinese beverage company in filing a report with the Ministry of Commerce regarding a foreign company under the “Unreliable Entity List.”

   • Provided legal services to a Chinese overseas-listed company in response to U.S. sanctions.

   • Provided overseas compliance legal services for defense technology products for a central state-owned enterprise. here.

2. Cross-Border Litigation and Arbitration

   • Represented a Chinese airline in an air accident compensation case in U.S. courts and Beijing Second Intermediate People’s Court. The U.S. court recognized the Chinese company’s position and directed the plaintiff to file in China. The case was ultimately settled in Beijing.

   • Represented a Swedish door manufacturing group in a joint venture contract dispute with a Chinese company, litigated in Shanghai Second Intermediate People’s Court and Shanghai High Court, involving claims of approximately RMB 200 million.

   • Represented a Chinese listed company against a Swiss company seeking recognition and enforcement of a Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) award in Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court. The court dismissed the recognition and enforcement application. The dispute involved claims of approximately USD 34 million. 

Duan & Duan Law Firm illustrates how certain Chinese law firms fuse professional legal services with party loyalty and national strategic interests. For international audiences, understanding the firm requires recognizing not only its legal capabilities but also its embedded role in advancing state-aligned objectives. 

For more details about the firm, go to here.

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