When Law Meets Technology and Globalization: The Transformation of Jincheng Tongda & Neal

Walking into the heart of Beijing’s CBD, one can spot the signage of Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm on the 7th floor of China World Tower A. Since seizing the opportunity created by China’s legal reforms in 1992, the firm has grown into one of the country’s major full-service law firms. With “integrity and professionalism” at its core, JT&N integrates both Chinese and Western legal systems across litigation, M&A, digital economy, and cross-border dispute resolution, continually expanding its channels and professional capabilities. This is not just the growth story of a law firm but also a narrative of China’s legal evolution amid global commercial transformation.
A Pioneer of the Partnership Model: Vision and Origin
In 1992, as China’s first wave of partnership law firms emerged, Jincheng Law Firm was established in Beijing (Tongda Law Firm was also being formed at the time). In 2000, the two firms merged officially to form Jincheng Tongda & Neal. The founding team, centered on the principles of honesty and professionalism, laid the groundwork for diversified practice by advancing in capital markets, international trade, and intellectual property law.

At that time, China’s legal profession was still exploring new institutional models. Embracing the partnership system was not only a structural innovation but also a cultural commitment. JT&N’s partnership culture, rooted in pragmatism, cohesion, and prudence, has enabled it to retain a remarkably stable leadership team, forming the bedrock of its sustainable growth.

Building a National and Global Network

Initially headquartered in Beijing, JT&N soon began expanding across China by establishing offices in major cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Chengdu. These offices allowed the firm to anchor itself in the country’s most dynamic economic regions. Meanwhile, it also established international presences in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo. By joining ADVOC, a leading global network of independent law firms, JT&N gained institutional support for collaborations spanning over 180 countries.

This strategic blend of localized services and global connectivity enables the firm to handle both domestic and international matters—from cross-border M&A to international arbitration and foreign investment projects. The firm has also developed a flat, flexible internal management structure to ensure that each office operates with local responsiveness while coordinating seamlessly with the firm’s national and international strategy.

Diversified Expertise: Evolving with Industry Demands

As clients demand more specialized legal services, JT&N has continued to deepen its sectoral expertise. In the areas of IP and digital economy, the firm’s early work in trademark and patent litigation has evolved into legal services addressing algorithm protection and data asset compliance.

This expansion is more than a matter of scope—it reflects JT&N’s acute awareness of industry shifts. The firm’s “AI and Intellectual Property Dialogue” held in early 2025 attracted academics, corporate leaders, and regulators, showcasing its cross-disciplinary influence. Meanwhile, in traditional strengths like dispute resolution, cross-border M&A, and insolvency, JT&N continues to apply new methodologies, such as combined capital market and data security reviews or risk controls in light of international sanctions.

This professional evolution is reflected not just in the complexity of cases handled, but also in JT&N’s organizational design. The firm has built multidisciplinary teams across industry verticals, transitioning from siloed lawyer assignments to integrated legal solution hubs.

Institutional Culture and Intellectual Ecology

Externally, a law firm’s success is often measured by its clientele and market presence. Internally, however, sustainable development hinges on its governance and culture. At JT&N, the partners’ meeting functions as the firm’s supreme decision-making body, ensuring democratic consensus and operational efficiency. Specialized committees, regional coordination mechanisms, and junior partner development programs collectively form a talent pipeline aligned with the firm’s long-term goals.

JT&N also maintains close relationships with universities and think tanks. It regularly organizes academic events such as the “Public Law Forum” and “Young Lawyers Research Initiative,” fostering dialogue between theory and practice. Senior partners and associates are active in legal research, policy evaluation, and legislative consultation—contributing directly to the refinement of China’s legal frameworks.

This intellectual ecosystem elevates JT&N beyond being merely a service provider; it becomes a strategic node connecting legal reform, academic scholarship, and business practice.

Distinct Strengths: Collaboration, Technology, and Industry Penetration

JT&N’s strengths do not merely lie in winning cases or attracting top-tier clients. What sets the firm apart is its ability to energize organizational dynamics, break down sectoral silos, and integrate complex capabilities.

Horizontally, it consolidates resources across capital markets, taxation, data governance, and risk management to offer comprehensive solutions. Vertically, it tracks policy trends and market shifts to develop early-warning and compliance systems.

In recent years, the firm has introduced legal tech tools to enhance efficiency in drafting, case management, and evidence analysis. These innovations not only reduce overhead but also ensure more consistent and predictable outcomes. By developing proprietary legal databases and knowledge graphs, JT&N is equipping its lawyers with intelligent decision-making tools.

Challenges Beneath the Surface

Yet, success comes with its own set of challenges. As JT&N continues to scale, its internal complexity grows. Decision-making becomes more layered, and partner collaboration can suffer from inefficiencies. Uneven development among regional offices may also dilute brand cohesion.

Talent retention poses another issue. With increasing mobility and changing values among younger lawyers, the firm must craft more appealing career pathways. This is particularly urgent as AI disrupts traditional labor-intensive legal models.

Externally, JT&N’s global ambitions face rising geopolitical tensions, legal jurisdiction conflicts, and data sovereignty challenges. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies in multiple jurisdictions, the firm must reengineer its international service and compliance frameworks.

Future Outlook: Integration, Reinvention, and Repositioning

The legal market of the future will be more specialized and tech-driven. For JT&N to remain competitive, it must combine its legal expertise with deep insights into industries, regulations, and emerging technologies.

On one front, the firm should strengthen niche capabilities in areas like the digital economy, green finance, and sanctions compliance to identify new growth engines. On another, it must accelerate digital transformation across internal operations—from performance evaluation to client interaction, from knowledge management to talent development—building a truly scalable “intelligent law firm.”

Equally important is JT&N’s evolving identity within China’s legal reform. Beyond representing clients and supporting transactions, the firm is gradually assuming roles as a policy collaborator and industry architect.

JT&N’s journey encapsulates the trajectory of China’s legal profession—from early experimentation with partnerships to constructing a global service network. At every step, the firm has remained at the forefront of legal and commercial evolution.

In an era of legal restructuring and global realignment, JT&N’s mission goes beyond client representation. It aims to be a bridge—between business and law, domestic and global, past and future.