In March 2026, LEGALBAND announced its prestigious "2026 Client Choice: Top 15 Female Lawyers in China" and "2026 Client Choice: Top 15 Labor & Employment Lawyers in China" lists. Leveraging their solid professional capabilities, outstanding performance, and excellent client reputations, Llinks partners Ms. Lily Luo and Mr. Patrick Gu were respectively honored in these rankings.

Lily Luo | Partner

Ms. Lily Luo received her LL.B. degree from Northwest University and LL.M. degree from ECUPL. She joined Llinks in April 2009.

Ms. Luo has extensive experience in providing legal services relating to cross-border asset management. She has advised a wide variety of well-known foreign financial institutions on a long-term basis on their QFII, RQFII, QDII, QDLP, QDIE, Stock Connect, Mutual Recognition of Funds ("MRF"), CIBM, WFOE private fund manager ("PFM") registration and private fund launch projects.

In addition, Ms. Luo has represented clients in the establishment and/or M&A of retail funds management companies ("FMC") and the joint venture bank wealth management companies ("WMC"), the obtainment of funds distribution license for WFOE banks, the incorporation of overseas subsidiaries for PRC FMCs, securities companies.

Ms. Luo has extensive experience on data security, personal information protection, and has provided legal and compliance services to many world-famous financial institutions on their data compliance (especially data cross-border transfer) related matters.

Ms. Luo is the external counsel of many global asset managers on a long-term basis.

Client's Testimonial

"Ms. Lily Luo is diligent and meticulous, considering all aspects of a problem thoroughly. She has a profound understanding of the actual needs of foreign clients."

"Ms. Luo possesses deep theoretical knowledge and rich practical experience, and she is exceptionally skilled at handling significant, difficult, and complex legal issues."

Mr. Patrick Gu | Partner

Mr. Patrick Gu graduated from Fudan University Law School with a Bachelor of Laws and is qualified to practice law in China. He has over 20 years of experience in labor, employment, and compliance, gained through his work with Shanghai labor and personnel dispute arbitration institutions, domestic and foreign law firms, and Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Gu formerly served as an arbitrator for the Shanghai Labor and Personnel Dispute Arbitration Commission and currently serves as a member of the ESG Committee of the 12th Shanghai Bar Association.

Mr. Gu specializes in providing comprehensive and personalized legal services in general commercial matters and daily operational compliance. This includes reviewing non-compete and proprietary agreements, advising on and implementing data privacy policies and business ethics codes, and designing anti-corruption and anti-bribery investigation schemes. He assists clients in interviewing and investigating employees for misconduct, dismissing non-compliant staff, and handling related crisis events and disputes. Mr. Gu also frequently advises on complex matters related to M&A, employee transfers, department restructuring, and compensation and bonus planning.

With extensive litigation experience, Mr. Gu frequently represents clients in various arbitrations and lawsuits. He possesses keen business acumen and provides constructive and practical legal advice and solutions.

Mr. Patrick Gu was recognized as a recommended lawyer in Labor and Employment by the Chambers Greater China Region Guide (2024 and 2026). Mr. Gu was also recommended in Regulatory and Compliance as well as Labor and Employment by The Legal 500 Greater China for 2023, 2025, and 2026, and was further honored as a "Specially Recommended Lawyer" in The Legal 500 China 2023 list. For three consecutive years (2019–2021), Mr. Gu was named an "Outstanding Labor and Employment Lawyer" by China Law & Practice. Furthermore, for seven consecutive years (2019–2025), he has been consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in Labor Law in the LEGALBAND "Best of the Best" Rankings. Additionally, Mr. Gu serves as an expert consultant for cases at the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

LEGALBAND's Remark:

Mr. Patrick Gu is highly accomplished in labor and employment, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution. Mr. Gu excels at providing professional, multi-level legal solutions for domestic and foreign enterprises regarding complex matters such as non-compete agreements, labor compliance, internal investigations, trade secrets, anti-unfair competition, and large-scale layoffs. Mr. Gu has led his team in supporting numerous Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, listed companies, and private enterprises across industries including finance, internet, manufacturing, retail, luxury goods, chemicals, new materials, and biomedicine.

Client's Testimonial

"Mr. Patrick Gu demonstrated extraordinary professionalism and ethical standards during our cooperation. He possesses high-level capabilities and rich experience in both consultation and complex case handling. His practical and insightful suggestions give us great peace of mind and trust."

For these rankings, LEGALBAND evaluated law firm recommendations, lawyer self-nominations, and client feedback. Combined with the long-term insights of the LEGALBAND China research team, 15 lawyers from Chinese Mainland were ultimately selected as highly preferred Female Lawyers and Labor Lawyers by clients.