In July 2025, LEGALBAND announced its "2025 LEGALBAND China 30 under 30." Llinks associate Mr. Neil Zhao stood out among numerous candidates with solid professional capabilities, strong performance, and wide recognition both within and outside the industry, ultimately earning a place on the list.
Neil Zhao
Mr. Neil Zhao holds a Bachelor of Laws from Tianjin University, a Bachelor of Economics (dual degree from Nankai University), and a Master of Laws from Xiamen University. He joined Llinks Law Offices in July 2019.
Mr. Zhao primarily provides legal services related to cross-border asset management. He has long-term legal service experience with multiple internationally renowned financial institutions, including the establishment of wholly foreign-owned public fund management companies, registration of wholly foreign-owned private fund managers, private fund product fundraising and operation, QDLP quota application and product fundraising and operation, fund recognition, and stock market trading connectivity.
Mr. Zhao also serves as legal counsel to several internationally recognized asset management institutions.
In the fields of data security and personal information protection, Mr. Zhao advises numerous leading financial institutions on data compliance matters, particularly regarding data cross-border transfers.
LEGALBAND's Remark
Mr. Neil Zhao has extensive expertise and practical experience in investment funds and asset management legal services. Since the beginning of his career, he has continuously provided legal support to many well-known international asset management firms, including BlackRock, J.P. Morgan, Fidelity, Schroders, Wellington, Allianz, and AllianceBernstein. Mr. Zhao has been deeply involved in several representative projects related to China's asset management market opening, such as WFOE FMC, WFOE PFM, QDLP, and fund recognition. His strong professional skills, rigorous work ethic, and efficient execution have earned him high praise and trust from clients. Mr. Zhao holds a bachelor's degree from Tianjin University and a master's degree from Xiamen University, and he is a qualified practicing lawyer in China.
Client Testimonial
"Mr. Zhao is consistently client-focused, meticulous in his work, and highly responsive. Whether it involves urgent document revisions or legal support for strategic projects, he ensures high-quality deliverables with a strong sense of responsibility. He has repeatedly completed complex tasks under tight deadlines, demonstrating exceptional resilience and professionalism. As a long-term business partner, I highly commend his expertise, work ethic, and collaborative performance."
During an extensive research period spanning over a month, LEGALBAND thoroughly evaluated recommendation materials submitted by major law firms, lawyers' self-recommendations, and client feedback. Leveraging its China-based team's continuous observation of the legal market, LEGALBAND meticulously selected 30 outstanding young lawyers in Mainland China. The selection criteria not only included high praise from clients and peers but also considered key transactions and cases handled by the lawyers, professional background, industry influence, and other critical factors.
