On May 20, 2026, GCProfiles officially released its "2026 GCP China Legal Elite 40" list. Thanks to their exquisite professional capabilities, outstanding performance, and excellent market reputation in the fields of investment, financing, M&A, cross-border expansion, public funds, and asset management, Llinks partners Ms. Cathy Huang and Ms. Qi Lu were honorably named to the list.
Cathy Huang
Ms. Cathy Huang obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics and her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Columbia Law School. With over fifteen years of practice experience, Ms. Huang excels in representing both Chinese and foreign clients in a wide range of commercial transactions, including cross-border M&A and restructuring, private equity and venture capital (PE/VC), joint ventures, and strategic cooperation.
Ms. Huang's client portfolio spans from renowned multinational institutions, investment funds, state-owned/large private enterprises, and listed companies, to startups and fast-growing businesses. Her industry experience covers high-tech, industrial and high-end manufacturing, new energy, integrated circuits and semiconductors, TMT, retail and consumer goods, healthcare and life sciences, food, fintech, and business services.
With a deep understanding of her clients' commercial objectives in various complex transactions, Ms. Huang consistently provides constructive and customized advice and solutions. Ms. Huang's ability to facilitate deals and help clients achieve their business goals has won her high praise from clients and widespread recognition from legal rating agencies.
Qi Lu
Ms. Qi Lu graduated from Fudan University, obtaining both her Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees. Ms. Lu has long been dedicated to legal affairs in the asset management sector. She primarily provides legal services related to product design, offering and issuance, investment operations, internal control and compliance, and corporate governance for mutual fund management companies, wealth management subsidiaries of commercial banks, and securities asset management institutions. She possesses extensive experience across all categories of asset management business and has served as the lead issuing counsel for over a thousand mutual funds.
Ms. Lu has been deeply involved in the establishment and opening application projects of several bank wealth management subsidiaries. She also serves as permanent legal counsel for more than ten wealth management subsidiaries, providing legal opinions on the transaction structures of relevant wealth management products, corporate governance, and operations. Furthermore, she has participated in multiple asset management research projects led by regulatory authorities.
In addition, Ms. Lu has provided legal services for the setup of multiple domestic mutual fund companies and their subsidiaries, as well as equity transfer projects of mutual fund companies. She has participated in handling applications for fund distribution licenses by several foreign commercial banks, insurance institutions, and independent fund distributors, and has provided legal services for the registration of Chinese Mainland-Hong Kong Mutual Recognition of Funds (MRF).
As the Chinese legal services market breaks new ground amidst shifting landscapes, legal elites across various fields stand out as the backbone of the industry. They deliver legal value to enterprises with a professional, pragmatic, and forward-looking approach, demonstrating their unique professional excellence. GCProfiles conducted an in-depth, months-long research initiative focusing on outstanding lawyers, legal advisors, and in-house counsel in China aged 40 and under. Combining self-nominations, recommendations, partner evaluations, and market feedback with long-term observations of the Chinese legal services market, the final "2026 GCP China Legal Elite 40" list was determined through the GCP rating mechanism and independent procedures.
